School Changes

[Tobina+1]

Not sure if you were serious or not, sixdogsmom, but there's a reason why you can't change the school locations around.
Howard = High School:  gym, track, baseball field, theatre.
Severy = Intermediate School:  large gym
Moline = Grade School: small gym/activity area

I agree about the hollering.  Look how much people still complain about the school consolidation that happened over 20 (?) years ago.  And the fact that there's still 3 separate alumni associations; what's that about?

I think there's another question brewing that's REALLY going to cause a stir (I can't wait)...
Why do we have 2 school districts in such a small county, anyway?  How about consolidating Elk Valley and West Elk?  There are larger, more populated counties all over Kansas that only have 1 school district and 1 high school!  
(Let 'er rip...)

[DolphinsLEM]

So we know that teachers are going to be rearranged to fill different positons.  Especially with Severy losing 4 teachers.  Has there been word on what grades each teacher will be teaching?  I know I will still be preschool for Severy.  But was just wondering what if the teachers have been told what grades they will be teaching next year.  I am very happy they decided to have two preschools because I could not see sending Severy preschoolers all the way to Moline or vice versa.  That is just way too long for a 3 year old to be on the bus.  I don't feel the decision was the best decision but things just need to be worked out and hopefully everything will work out.  The board probably did what they felt was the best.  Yes they should have gotten community and teacher input but that didn't happen and I agree with Angie that they probably didn't know what to do with 4 teachers at Severy and 1 at Moline gone, they knew there are alot of teaching jobs open in Kansas right now and you probably are not going to get "good" teachers to come here. We have low pay, and our community doesn't offer tons.  Yes I moved here and I am happy that I did.  But honestly if my husband didn't have family here and didn't convince me to move I know I would not be in Howard.  There would have been no reason for me to move.  So we as a community and a school district need to make it appealing to others. 
Again,  I feel that we should at least try this out.  It is just a pilot and maybe things might go back to the way they were or we may really like the changes and not want things to change.  CHANGE IS HARD AT TIMES BUT WE NEED TO GIVE IT A TRY .   

[Mom70x7]

I've only talked to a couple of teachers. I know some of them were asked if they wanted to stay with their grade (and switch schools) or stay with the school (and switch grade taught).

That's such a tough decision.

[Devyn-Leann]

I'm still sticking with my opinion that it stinks!! I hate to see teachers having to leave the school that they've taught at so long.

I'm also very irritated that parents were not informed of the idea so we could be prepared. Why spring it on us? Why not invite us to the board meeting and let us discuss it.

My child is 3 and started preschool last March. I had to take him to the bus IN Howard (because they couldn't "spare" 15 minutes). He went to preschool at Severy...HELLO!!! We live RIGHT between Howard & Severy!!!! THEN, he didn't get home til 4:30 in the evening.

To say that I am disgusted with West Elk is a complete understatement.

[sixdogsmom]

Maybe somebody could start a private school. Sounds as though some of you have the education required. Just a thought!

[Marcia Moore]

     Moline is not the only town with a petition regarding the school board's decision.  Severy has one, too. 
     Mom 70x7, you mentioned you were at the school board meeting when this decision was made and the vote was not unanimous.  Could you please tell us which of the board members voted for this change?  Thanks.

[Mom70x7]

My memory is the vote was 6-1. Robert Wolfe voted against it.

I didn't write it down, but that's my memory. 

[Marcia Moore]

     I don't know who Robert Wolfe is, but I certainly admire him for standing up for what he thought was best even if it meant he had to stand on his own.  People like him make much better representatives of the people than those who are so passive they go with the flow no matter what.  Just curious - out of the seven school board members, how many of them happen to have kids in grades one through six? 

[Catwoman]

     I don't know who Robert Wolfe is, but I certainly admire him for standing up for what he thought was best even if it meant he had to stand on his own.  People like him make much better representatives of the people than those who are so passive they go with the flow no matter what.  Just curious - out of the seven school board members, how many of them happen to have kids in grades one through six? 

FYI, Rob Wolfe is a life-long Elk County citizen, who has children in the school system.  He is one of the new board members and takes his position seriously...he is there for the betterment of the student population.  You are correct that he has the stamina to stand on his own...a trait that makes him singularly well-qualified for the position. 

[momof 2boys]

There are only two board members with children in grade school.