School board addresses issue, for now
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September 10, 2013 |
School District 101 Superintendent Dick Conley
was right when he said there were no easy
answers to staffing issues in the district's
three elementary schools, and there was dissension
within the board on how to remedy the situation,
at least for now.
After hearing from several concerned parents,
from teachers and administrators, the board
split with a 3-2 vote to approve the hiring of a
third grade teacher at Naples Elementary to
eliminate two combined classes of second and
third and third and fourth graders, each with 28
students, restoring each grade level to a
classroom of their own.
There's still a combined third/fourth grade
class at Valley View, but with only 13 students
in each, and at Mount Hall a kindergarten with
26 children, a third grade class with 29; both
well above the district's policy for optimal
student/teacher ratios.
While credit was given to the teachers tasked
with teaching large classes in dual curricula,
Naples parents spoke of younger children
overwhelmed by the lessons taught the older students,
of older children underwhelmed by hearing
lessons already mastered, and concern that the
combination of dual classes and high student
numbers would adversely affect their education
forever.
One brave young Naples third grade girl,
obviously scared, stood up to say she wasn't
comfortable in a class of mixed grades, and
wanted to be in a classroom with her peers.
Steve Alvarez, himself a former Naples student
now teaching one of the packed combined
classrooms there, said he was up to the
challenge, but admitted the situation was less
than ideal, risking a pay cut to do what was
best for his students.
There was talk among the board of tabling a
decision, but it was agreed that a decision had
to be made.
Trustee David Brinkman made motion to hire a
Naples third grade teacher, Mike Weland seconded
to open discussion, and asked if it might be
better to hire two teacher's assistants, one at
Naples, one at Mount Hall.
Initially three board members seemed to favor
that approach, but another issue was raised.
A new student testing system is being put in
place in Idaho schools to replace ISTARS, one
that is tougher, expected to drop student scores
by an average of 40 points, known by a different
acronym through its test phase but ironically to
be known once again as ISTARS when it becomes
standardized across the state in 2015.
"Parents are likely going to have concerns when
their children, testing as exceptional under the
current ISTARS, are rated 'proficient' under the
new," said curriculum director Robin Merrifield.
Brinkman raised the concern that we are not only
asking too much of our Naples dual class
teachers teaching two different curricula to two
grade levels in too large classes, but asking
them to do so during a transition as to how a
student's progress, and a teacher's
effectiveness, is measured.
On the issue of funding, district
clerk/treasurer Diane Cartwright said that it
could be eked out, but it would come from next
year's contingency fund.
A terrible topic was raised, one no board member
wanted to hear.
"Can we ask voters for funds next year? We'll
support you ... and we need to ask for more."
The board was reminded of its own motto, "Our
kids are worth whatever it takes."
With the district facing the likely loss of
considerable federal and state funding next
year, the likelihood that terrible choices face
the district next year can't be denied.
The district asked for the very least it needed
from local property owners the last time it
floated a levy, and for the first time in over
20 years, the levy passed on the first attempt.
The thought of asking again is abhorrent, but
it's a decision to be agonized over later ...
there is the off chance that legislators, both
state and federal, might elevate education
funding on the list of priorities.
"Oh, how I hope so," Conley said, wringing hands
held to heaven.
Still, a motion sat on the floor.
After hearing again from parents, and hearing
Conley's assessment of options, and discussion
among board members, Weland fell on the side of
hiring a teacher. Brinkman called for a vote,
but board chair Melanie Staples allowed the
discussion to continue, and it was argued that
with a budget already stretched, the district
could hire four additional half time teacher's
assistants at less cost than a single teacher,
effectively stretching both teacher
effectiveness and the district budget.
"I don't much like any of the options you're
faced with," Conley reiterated.
Discussion ended, Staples called for a vote.
Weland, "aye." Nichele Whittaker, "aye." Beverly
Krichbaum, "nay." Brinkman, "aye." "Staples,
"nay."
There was good news; each school administrator
reported that both staff and students appear
excited over the year ahead. Parents and PTO
groups continue to make amazing contributions;
the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho presented a check
for $90,000; more than ever before.
"It's that time of year again, the students are
back in school and we are all looking forward to
a fun-filled year of education and learning,"
Kootenai Tribal Chair Jennifer Porter wrote ... "The
Kootenai Tribe of Idaho is proud and honored to
be a part of the education of our young people
and highly support the efforts of all the
educators who make a positive impact on them."
The only thing missing on the new and beautiful
playground equipment at Naples elementary is
wood chips; it would have been hard to keep kids
off the teeter totter and no one wanted to see any child hurt.
The chips are being delivered today, the ride
installed.
High School athletic director Steve Morton
reported a marked increase in student
participation in fall sports and a pretty
auspicious start to the season in all Badger
sports.
Middle school principal David Miles took a full
60 seconds at most to say that all was well.
One fair piece of news? The number students lost
to the district, initially estimated at 100,
continues to fluctuate daily, but it now appears
that what might have been more than a $518,000
reduction in funds is far less; overall
attendance now appears down by only 38 students.
That could, however, change tomorrow, depending
on how many parents keep their children in
Boundary County Schools, and on how often those
children show up to sit at their desks.
"We can't try to anticipate tomorrow," Krichbaum
said. "We have to cope with what we face today."
With the continued passion, help and giving of
the people of our communities standing to
support our schools, Brinkman said,
answers will come. |
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