GFW Board looks at basketball plan

FAIRFAX -- The Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop School Board looked at a proposal Monday to unify boys and girls basketball programs in grades 7-12.

The plan, created by the administration, athletic directors and coaches is designed to improve the basketball program by establishing a single site for all boys and girls practices and games.

The plan, which has been successful in other districts, would not cost more than the existing program, according information from Superintendent Stephen Malone.

The proposal would create:

* a unified skill developmental method and integrated philosophy for students in grades 7-12 to make them more likely to succeed

* more individual student instruction time

* pride, motivation and better skills with older athletes helping younger ones

* simpler practice and game schedules

* more of a home court advantage

The board will consider the proposal for action at its May 24 meeting.

In other action, the board:

* Revised fiscal year 2004 budgets as presented.

Budget reductions of $143,801 for 2004-2005 would maintain current student opportunities.

Elementary school savings include classroom teachers providing art instruction, $14,309; reducing phy-ed .2 FTE, $7,474; principal .10, $8,200; middle school, one staff, $38,852; high school, reducing 1.47 staff, $58,966; high school athletic supplies, $5,000; Gibbon to Winthrop bus route, $11,000.

* Approved he superintendent's secretary contract was corrected to a 7.8 percent increase over two years.

Middle school principal and elementary school principal contracts increase of 4 percent this school year and a 1 percent raise for the middle school principal next year. The elementary principal's contract would be cut .10 FTE next school year.

* Approved a quote of $6,875 for Palmer West to complete elementary and middle school roof repair.

* Learned that Local 284 and GFW negotiators are using the Interest Based Collective Bargaining process to settle the 2003-2005 teacher contracts. The parties have invested 15 days and 67.5 hours of meetings to date.