School Changes

[Marcia Moore]

The vote certainly reflects that.  That is a shame.  Hopefully the school board will call a special meeting or two, give the public a chance to speak, and rescind their decision.

[momof 2boys]

I have just visited with a citizen from Moline that informed me that it is possible our grade schools could lose possibly 12 - 15 students from the Moline, Belknap, Grenola area.  Take that times $5,000 the school gets from the state.  Wow!!

[Lookatmeknow!!]

I wonder if we will lose any to Eureka or even Fredonia.  Some of the Severy kids live in Piedmont, Climax, and close to Fall River.  I haven't heard, but man that is a hit!!

I have been thinking alot about what they are doing.  I really don't like it, but what other options do we have???  I don't see any that will really make any real sense to everyone.  What ever they decide you are doing to make people mad.  At the last public forum, I really wonder how many were really listening?  I remember Marty Taliferro making the comment that things are not going to get any better for a long time, number of students and dollars from the state.  I have decided that I would rather keep my children in the West Elk district than bus them somewhere else.  We have an amazing school system, the teachers are wonderful.  Especially at the Grade School level.  I am not real familiar with many from the high school, so can't really make a judgment on that.  But I want the best education that I can give my children and if we have to do this to keep our schools, I think that we should all just suck it up and get on.  I think that many people don't realize how small some of the classes are.  I know that my soon to be kindergarter will only have about 7 kids in her class.  I think that Moline will have more, I think around 15-20.  I also know that the 6th grade class from Severy has never had more than 10 and don't think that the Moline one has either. 

If we don't have many students we don't have state dollars coming in.  What is a small district like West Elk supposed to do???  I care alot about my childrens education, like many do, keeping them in this district is what is best for them.  I think the parents that are thinking of moving their children should really do some research about the districts that they are thinking about sending their children to.  I do have to say that I like the Sedan district, too!!  But not sure about Longton or Burden.  If any of the parents out there have any good suggestions that might work please do tell!!  I think that the only other one is to build a new building in Howard, but then again, you make people mad.  It is a no win situation!!!  You can't make everyone happy!!!

[Catwoman]

I have just visited with a citizen from Moline that informed me that it is possible our grade schools could lose possibly 12 - 15 students from the Moline, Belknap, Grenola area.  Take that times $5,000 the school gets from the state.  Wow!!

There has been an exodus of students from Elk County happening over the past 10 years.  Now that gas has hit close to $4/gallon, you can expect to see more people move closer to the jobs that they have formerly commuted to/from. 

[Marcia Moore]

     I heard today there is going to be a public forum sometime in July concerning the school change.  Don't know any other details.

[sixdogsmom]

The details are posted in the headlines for Flinthills paper at the top of the page. Meeting July 10.

[Catwoman]

The details are posted in the headlines for Flinthills paper at the top of the page. Meeting July 10.

The Flinthills Express keeps us out-of-towners up on most things, thank goodness (and Mr. Taylor!)

[momof 2boys]

I have been privy to some conversations regarding why combining classrooms would be detrimental to teaching.  I guess this was something that the board was told that would lead to teacher burn-out.  According to some of the teachers I have visited with, they personally felt that they could handle a combo classroom much better than being shifted to other places.  I am told that their burn-out comes from feeling unappreciated and being held with little regard to what it is they do.  Many had no idea that this change was taking place until after the fact, and to my knowledge none of the teachers were asked about their opinions regarding the matter.  You would have thought a little more investigation would have gone into this venture before it was decided upon. 

[Catwoman]

Having taught combo classes myself (no more than two grades at a time, with no more than one step between grades), I can tell you from experience that teaching combo classes takes a great deal of prep time, a great deal of organization during the dissemination of the materials to the students and a great deal of patience while trying to convey information to two different grades of students...combined with having to monitor for behavior and tracking what has to be reinforced with the mainstreamed SPED students, all this happening while taking documentation so that you are able to grade fairly at the end of the quarter.  Beyond that, it's a piece of cake, lol.  I am not surprised to learn that there was no warning given to the teachers before this was sprung on them.   

[Marcia Moore]

     Just sat down and read the big story in the Flint Hills Express about the school change, as well as Rudy's excellent editorial, and I now have a somewhat different outlook on the matter.  Though I am against the change, I realize it was difficult for the board members to determine what might work best.  Severy cannot afford to lose their school, nor can Moline, and no matter how the vote went, someone would have been upset.  Glad I am not on the school board.  Thanks, Rudy.