Staff writer
Approximately 50 district residents showed up Monday for a hearing at Centre High School regarding the closure of the elementary school building at Lost Springs.
Board president Brent Methvin monitored a slide show depicting the reasons for the closure. These included an enrollment decrease of 65 students in 10 years and a reduction of $190,000 in budget authority this year because of cuts in state aid, with more cuts possible. Methvin said the local option mill levy would have to be raised by more than 11 mills to make up for the $190,000 shortfall.
One teacher position would be saved by switching from two administrators to one, a savings of $33,000.
Closing of the facility, which currently houses kindergarten through fourth grades, would result in estimated savings of $30,670. Another $8,700 could be saved in transportation costs by no longer shuttling teachers and students between the two school sites.
Possible cuts in classified staff could save $26,000.
Discontinuing the pre-kindergarten (4-year-old at-risk) program would save $30,000. An expenditure of $50,000 to purchase a “much-needed” bus to transport the children would be eliminated.
The total savings were estimated at more than $178,000. Even with the proposed cuts, the board will need to consider raising the local option mill levy for 2010-11.
Methvin displayed a map showing how classroom space can be reconfigured to accommodate the addition of the kindergarten through fourth-grade students at the high school site.
Kindergarten through fourth-grade students would be confined to the 1993 addition, and fifth and sixth graders would have rooms in the west/southwest wing of the high school. Special education would be in the north classroom of the vocational education facility. One library would serve all students.
“This is something I am excited about,” Superintendent Jerri Kemble said.
She noted that she served five schools at once as a counselor in the Chapman school district.
She said she has had many meetings with all staff members and has visited kindergarten through 12th-grade schools. Teachers and classified staff have collaborated to plan a smooth transition.
“The staff has been remarkable,” Kemble said. “The board and I are proud of our staff and their willingness to do what is best for the kids.”
Patron response
At least nine of those in attendance requested to speak to the board.
Several patrons thought the board acted too quickly, without giving the public notice or providing enough information about the situation.
Jennifer Kassebaum, a former board member, questioned why the board went into executive session before proposing the closing in open session. She thought it should have been an open discussion.
“This has never been a public discussion,” she said. “We never had the figures until tonight.”
Ronnie Carlson, a former board president, said the 1993 addition to the high school site was made in anticipation of needing more space in the future. He added that, if an addition ever were needed at the high school site, the addition would cost more than the savings resulting from closing the Lost Springs building.
Betty Bevan asked that play equipment at the elementary school be saved, if possible.
Several patrons objected to eliminating the pre-kindergarten program. Jennifer Svitak said she would work to help the district keep it. Chad Smith suggested cutting some vocational programs to save pre-kindergarten. Melissa Stuchlik said she would be willing to pay a reasonable fee for her children to participate in a pre-kindergarten program.
Norman Engler thought there were many ways to do things to save money.
“I’m not sure it’s worth it to undo a tradition to save a few bucks,” he said.
Former board president Clark Davis said the issue of relocation has been talked about for a long time. He agreed with those who said there had not been enough communication between the board and the people.
“If you keep them out of the loop, the people will fight you tooth and nail,” he said.
“The space is here to move the kids now,” he added.