Board adopts class size policy
he USD 410 Board of Education held a special meeting Monday to act on the reduction in force proposal made by Superintendent Gordon Mohn. By the end of the two-hour meeting, the board had voted 5-2 to offer two class sections in grades four, five, and six for the 2004-05 school year. Board members Eddie Weber and Dale Klassen voted against the proposal.
The proposal reduces the number of teaching positions at Hillsboro Middle School by one and at Hillsboro Elementary School by two. The motions for the non-renewal of contracts for Michelle Faul, Sunshine McEwen, and Michelle Goldsby passed 6-1, with Eddie Weber voting no.
"This is my recommendation," said Mohn. "The proposal represents acceptable staffing levels. We were successful with these levels in the past, and we can be successful with the levels in the future."
Mohn considered three factors when drafting the proposal: 1. The quality of education for children, 2. The most effective and efficient use of district funds, and 3. How to maintain quality teachers in the district.
With a projected budget deficit as high as $347,000, the reduction of staff will save the district $130,000.
"How much do you want to raise taxes?" Mohn asked the board. "The tone of the board of education in the past has been not to increase taxes. However, this community has always been supportive of schools. Maybe you could increase taxes and not cause a public uproar."
Several patrons and many teachers were in the audience. The only patron to speak was Alan Goldsby, who also sent a letter to the board. Goldsby's letter questioned the non-renewing of tenured teachers when non-tenured teachers have been offered jobs.
"If tenured staff are qualified to teach the current non-tenured positions, shouldn't they be utilized to fill those positions?" Goldsby asked in his letter.
Goldsby said in the meeting that his position is not an indictment of anyone, but a statement about the board's use of the reduction in force policy.
Other written communication was received from Lenna Knoll, Maura Wiebe, Shawna Vogt, Sherry Kaufman, Jeanie Reiswig, and Angel Garret.
The impact of class size on the education of children was another issue discussed by the board. Estimated class sizes for 2004-05 in grades K-6 are kindergarten, 46; first grade, 26; second grade, 48; third grade, 42; fifth grade, 45; and sixth grade, 47. The proposal adopted by the board includes three sections of kindergarten, two sections of first grade, three sections of third grade, and two sections each of grades four through six.
According to elementary principal Evan Yoder, a special education teacher will be assigned to work only with the fifth grade class.
"We have some staff development programs going on and other programs to help our kids," Mohn said when addressing the issue of larger classes. "Declining enrollment and a budget deficit are problems for us."
The board has to notify the teachers whose positions have been cut by May 1 of the board's intent to non-renew their contracts. The teachers then have 15 days to request a hearing if they feel they have been denied due process by the school district.
In other action, the board accepted the resignation/retirement of Carolyn Penner, elementary media specialist. Penner's half-time position could be offered to the non-renewed teachers first.
"The board might want to consider offering this position to non-renewed staff with the idea that if one of them took the job, she would get certified," said Mohn.
Mohn said he is in favor of filling the half-time position.
Since the fire marshal has ordered changes in the rooms above the auditorium, teachers who use those rooms will more than likely be re-located to middle school rooms.
Another option is to build a fire escape into the courtyard on the east side of the auditorium. Although no figures for the cost of the project have been submitted, Mohn thought it would probably be cost prohibitive.
According to Mohn, he intends to propose a three percent raise for certified employees in USD 410.
The interest-based bargaining team will meet again on May 12.
