Regretfully, school board cuts five programs
It was a tough night for members of the Onaway Area Community Schools Board of Education who grappled with the painful cuts of four programs. ?All of them were thought out very carefully,? said Sue Nelson, board president. ?We don?t want to have to make cuts; we would rather be adding programming to our school.?
With the district facing a deficit of $450,000, even if the schools collect the entire $6,700 per-pupil foundation grant from the state, cuts needed to be made. The board approved a recommendation to cut elementary art, elementary physical education, high school Spanish, high school computers, and high school vocational education at the Cheboygan Vocational Center. ?We went into the school year knowing that we would be in deficit spending,? said superintendent Bob Szymoniak. ?Going into this coming year (2004-05) the deficit is much greater.?
THE MEETING was conducted at the Millersburg Elementary School cafeteria. The two filled rows of seats and a row of tables for the board made for cramped conditions, with the largest crowd in months. Most of those in attendance were teachers and staff. ?The reason we are announcing program cuts tonight is because, per contract language, 60 days before the end of the school year, we need to notify teachers if there will be a reduction in staff,? said Nelson. As many as three positions are expected to be eliminated with the move by the board, although the employees who will be laid off won?t be known until the shifting of staff members with more seniority and qualifications are ?bumped? into other positions, said Szymoniak. ?Every effort was made to cut programs that would not increase class size, nor deny students of educational experiences that they couldn?t get in other ways,? said board member Terry Materna.
MATERNA, READING from material provided to each board member prior to the meeting, gave brief descriptions why the programs were being cut. The elementary art and PE programs could both be taught by the classroom teacher, he said. The high school computers program was targeted because students are arriving at the high school with sufficient knowledge of computers.
High school Spanish was on the list because the foreign language of German is also being taught, and students can get Spanish through other means, such as dual enrollment. The vocational education program was cut because it is expensive to run. Students could pursue it after graduating from high school, Materna said. ?I would like to say I personally regret laying off any teachers or staff,? said board member Mitch Winfield prior to the vote.
?I think the entire board would like nothing better than to wake up tomorrow morning and find a windfall,? added Nelson. ?It was a very difficult decision. Each of these programs impacts students.?
IN OTHER matters to come before the board: ? A retirement incentive package will be offered to teachers with 30 years or more service. The retiring teacher would be given $7,000 a year for three years, resulting in a savings of $18,000 a year. Seven district teachers would qualify. Szymoniak said he didn?t feel good about dangling a carrot in front of veteran teachers, but the decision is ?purely a financial? one.
? A proposal to purchase $23,451.94 in new textbooks was tabled following discussion of board members and some of the teachers in the audience. Based on the budget situation, especially with programs being cut, some teachers believe the entire issue should be revisited because the circumstances have changed since they were asked what books needed to be purchased. Some teachers believe they can work just as effective without the new books, especially if it?s possible to save a program. Given the discussion, Szymoniak recommended the issue be tabled.
? Receiving Cardina
? The following coaches were hired for the 2004-05 school year: Ted Peters, junior high girls track; John George, JV girls basketball; Rachel Peel, 8th grade girls basketball; Deb Russ, 7th grade girls basketball; Mark Grant, varsity wrestling; Jason Larson, varsity boys basketball; Marty Mix, JV boys basketball; Justin Hyde, 8th grade boys basketball; John George, 7th grade boys basketball; Steve Watson, varsity volleyball; and Olivia MacGregor, JV volleyball.
? The board also approved the expulsion of student Mike Houle, 17, following a closed session to discuss the recommendation by administrators.