No easy answers, Conley says
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September 9, 2013 |
The Boundary County School District 101 Board of
Trustees will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the
middle school library, and among the myriad
issues they'll be called upon to consider is one
that has no easy answer.
"This is not an easy one," Superintendent Dick
Conley warned.
District-wide, there are 100 fewer students in
local public schools, but those students happen
to be clustered in schools and grades where
teachers aren't, leading to student to teacher
ratios not fitting district policy.
That there are 100 fewer students takes away
$518,750 in state and federal funds the district
has to work with this year. Much of the funds
left are pre-allocated by the agencies from
which they're obtained, meaning the district
uses them as prescribed, or give them back.
Those funds are typically allocated to achieve
national or state educational goals, and bear
little semblance to what's happening at home; in
small schools in small states in rural counties,
such as ours.
At Naples Elementary, a school with an admirable
record of innovation and excellence, there are
two combined classes, each with 28 students. Not
only do their teachers have to teach a lot of
students, they must also teach at two grade
levels.
At Mount Hall, a class of 26 kindergartners are
starting their educational career with a single
teacher; 29 third graders returned to a packed
class with one hard working but undoubtedly
harried teacher.
Three migrant students there are expected to
leave in October, further eroding the funding
the district has to work with.
Valley View has a combined third/fourth class
with only 13 students in each, which is okay ...
but moving the third graders back to a single
class would give a class of 27; the fourth
graders go to a classroom of 28 students.
The math is so complicated even Mr. Saboe would
be hard pressed to explain, and no one on the
school board is Mr. Saboe.
Conley sent each board member a quick review of
options to consider today and a promise to
explain more at Tuesday's meeting, and none are
appealing.
"This is not an easy one."
All interested are encouraged to attend; 6 p.m.,
middle school library, constructive ideas
welcome.
But please, no finger pointing or laying of
blame, no conjuring funds over which there can
be no argument ... what is, is, despite all
rumors or assertions to the contrary.
The decisions are hard, and they weigh heavy. |
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