|
|
|
April 4, 2000
GFW approves $630,000 in cutsElementaryprincipal cutto 70 percentBy GUY PRIEL Journal Staff Writer GIBBON -- To cut or not to cut became the over-reaching question Monday night as the GFW Schools Board o gave final approval to $630,888 worth of cuts for the 2000-2001 academic year. Monday's meeting brought closure to a series of emotion-filled nights spent hearing public testimony about the proposed cuts. A failed referendum and declining enrollments forced the reductions. The district is predicting an enrollment of 980 students next year, with a slight increase that will put it over 1,000 by 2001, based on birth records and enrollment histories within the district. When asked about the board's long-range goals, district officials that the school systems needs to be strong in technology offerings; continue the middle school concept as much as possible; and maintain all three sites. Topping the list of proposed cuts was whether or not to eliminate the elementary principal position currently held by Tom Magoris. The proposals ranged from total elimination to a half-time principal, with duties being assumed by middle school Principal Lance Chambers. The board unanimously approved maintaining the position at 70 percent, keeping the duties of Community Ed Director and Title Director intact at the elementary site, saving $21,216. "There have been many concerns with us cutting this position," Board Chair Tom VanHon said. "I believe that a 70 percent contract offers the best of all worlds. This will help us retain someone at each site and will help us avoid spreading our administrators too thin." Discussions of audience members present on Monday night focused on the possibility of pairing with another district, such as Brownton, for wrestling; maintaining computer programs at the elementary school; and concerns with larger class sizes at the elementary school. Board members expressed concern with maintaining the DARE program; maintaining art programs; maintaining industrial technology programs at the high school; maintaining golf because of the numbers of students; maintaining student trips and charging students; and the reduction of publications for the district newspaper In Flight. Items saved from cuts included: high school guidance secretary; student dean position; site-based team stipends; elementary technology; middle school keyboarding; cheerleading; reduction to three coaches in high school football; assistant dance line coach for the non-competitive season; DARE program; and a reduction to two coaches for track. The board also approved fee increases for middle school and high school activities in an attempt to raise additional revenue. The district will move driver's education out of the classroom, charging students for driving and for instructor costs. The district will also maintain golf as long as volunteer coaches can be obtained. The district will also maintain the middle school Quest program, provided $10,000 worth of donations can be obtained for the instructor. The district will also change the middle school counselor to a social worker. The district will also charge students for overnight trips to maintain costs, and will charge students for attendance at state tournament trips. A donation was received that covers the Wolfridge Environmental Camp trip at the middle school. Approved cuts include: replacing 1.5 buses per year; reducing Gibbon and Fairfax routes to four; reducing Winthrop shuttles to three; elimination of one section of first, second and third grades; reduction to two grade levels of middle school art; elimination of one high school art elective; reduction in one section of supervised occupational experience, video production, ninth and 10th grade English, advanced physical education and multi media; reduction of eighth-grade health to a .25 certified staff position; and combining of grades seven to 12 for wrestling, with the elimination of one coach and the use of existing shuttles for practice. Other cuts include: the elimination of high school wrestling; reduction of one coach for middle school football and volleyball, and high school football; reduction of $9,000 for athletic supplies; publication in one newspaper instead of all three, with consideration of a rotating basis for official publication; delays in computer replacement and roof replacements; elimination of the ninth-grade basketball bus; elimination of the summer band program; reduction of the counseling position to .75; elimination of four days of summer office hours; and reduction of site-based team stipends by half. After much discussion, the board voted to maintain the summer vocational agriculture program, with a 40-day instructor at no cost to the students. "This was not an easy task," VanHon said. "We appreciate the public input. This has been a difficult financial situation. Nothing deserves to be cut, and we did consider the comments we got from citizens."
|