Sixth graders to remain at elementary school
Staff writer
Marion-Florence USD 408 school board members expected to be called on the carpet during a special meeting March 16 about proposed budget cuts which would eliminate staff.
What they weren't expecting was to be grilled on the question of whether or not they planned to create a sixth through eighth grade middle school beginning with the 2004-05 school year.
"We've been hearing rumors that the sixth grade is moving to the middle school," said Deb Shipman, Marion Elementary School secretary. "When will you make that decision?"
"We haven't discussed that issue at this time," replied board president Rex Savage. "We haven't even seen any background on that."
But after hearing the proposal from district administrators and engaging in lively — sometimes heated — discussion, board members agreed it was a path they were not interested in following at this time.
"We still have room at the elementary and it would be really crowded at the middle school and high school," commented board vice-president Gene Bowers following the lengthy discussion. "I really don't want to go there now."
School employees made their concerns about the proposal known to the board during the public comment session, which occurred before members heard the proposal from administrators.
"I hope a move to the middle school isn't a move based on money," said Nicki Case, MES teacher. "I think there's too much overcrowding at the middle school already. I can't imagine seventh and eighth grade teachers taking on additional classes."
Bowers said money had to be considered in making any decisions.
"You said the decision shouldn't be about money. But it's all about money," Bowers said. "It's a balancing act — Doing what's best for children, but still considering the money."
A woman aide at MES told the board she wanted an explanation before any decision is made.
"I want to know the rationale before the vote goes 7-0," she said. "I want to make sure we're moving the sixth grade for the right reasons."
Superintendent Gerald Henderson defended the school board.
"Never in the six years I've been here has this board made a decision that big on the first night," Henderson said. "I was asked two weeks ago to prepare a proposal to move the sixth grade to the middle school and cut a teaching position. We have got to get $200,000 in staff reductions. This is one of the pieces."
"The fact that you people are here tonight shows we don't make decisions without public input," Savage added.
Later in the meeting, Henderson said Tod Gordon, Marion Middle School principal, and Stan Ploutz, MES principal, were looking at new ways to deliver reading, language arts, and math instruction to upper elementary, seventh and eighth grade students.
"We are driven somewhat by state assessments," Henderson said.
Explaining that state assessments tend to be geared toward an "upward slant," Henderson said it would be beneficial educationally to move the sixth graders to the middle school and at the same time eliminate one teaching position.
By moving the sixth grade out of the elementary school, the Head Start program could move from downtown to the elementary school. Also, room would be available if the district decided to begin offering full-day kindergarten at some time in the future, Henderson said.
"Potentially, bringing Head Start back in the building in the future would allow us to serve those students better and (offering) all-day kindergarten is a direction I want to go," Ploutz said. "I'm not interested in pushing the sixth graders out the door. The question is Where do sixth graders fit socially? Where do they fit in academically?'"
Ploutz explained at the elementary level grades K-3 are the "core group," where smaller class numbers allow for flexibility which teachers need, while grades four and five are a "transitional level," he said.
"Sixth, seventh, and eighth makes a good combination," Ploutz said. "Sixth fits better in terms of assessments with what seventh and eighth graders do."
MMS principal Gordon said when the new middle school building was constructed in 1996 it was designed with three open classrooms.
"Then 60 to 70-plus classes overflowed from the high school, but now we have smaller numbers to schedule," Gordon said.
When initially asked to look at the possibility and prepare a class schedule including the sixth grade into the MMS school day, Gordon said at first he didn't think there was any way to fit all the core subjects, physical education, vocal, and instrumental music into the schedule.
"But it does fit," Gordon said.
Additionally, by adding two more additional teachers at the middle school that would bring a total of eight teachers who specialize in core subjects, Gordon said.
"Each teacher could teach to their strengths," he said. "Our scores will go up."
Some sixth graders also are ready for higher level courses. He noted one sixth grader who is ready for seventh grade math and said it would be easier if the individual were in the same building rather than being bussed back and forth.
In response to a scheduling question posed by Savage, Gordon said sixth grade band would have to meet daily, although vocal classes could meet just three times per week.
Gordon passed out a possible schedule encompassing the sixth grade. In response to a question, Gordon indicated that in order to make the schedule work music classes would consist of approximately 50 students.
"Fifty kids? All in one room?" questioned board member Keith Collett. He said during a board retreat several months ago administrators indicated additional physical education and music facilities were necessary to adequately serve the student population.
"Either you deliberately misled us four months ago or you're being awfully optimistic now," Collett said.
"No. We're just trying to find you $200,000," Henderson replied.
"That's unconscionable," Collett answered. "That's not teaching, that's crowd control."
Gordon said he understood Collett's concerns and noted he wouldn't want to put 50 students in one classroom.
Board member Kathy Meierhoff said she was "in alliance" with Collett. "Until you have clear facilities for PE and music I'm afraid sticking them all together isn't a good idea."
Board member Sarah Cope said she wasn't "sold on the idea." She commented her son had come home from school that day (March 16) "pumped up" about the possibility of attending middle school next year.
"Which made me immediately against it," she said, eliciting a laugh from the audience.
Board member Chris Sprowls asked why it would be more advantageous for the sixth grade to move to MMS as opposed to staying at the elementary facility.
"We were talking about departmentalizing the fifth and sixth grade while still at the elementary school," Sprowls said.
Board president Savage asked members if they wished to pursue the issue or set it aside for future discussion.
Collett apologized for his earlier outburst and said he felt it was best the issue be "set aside" for the time being.
Board members agreed.
