Big Needs, Small Response

WAITSBURG - Fewer than 20 people attended a community forum Tuesday night at Waitsburg Elementary School - with only four of those not on the district payroll. The gathering was held to solicit input from community members regarding the amount of sup- port the Waitsburg School Board will seek from taxpayers to meet maintenance and operations needs as well as fund future capital expenditures.

School Superintendent Dr. Carol Clarke opened by sharing some of the issues Waitsburg schools are currently facing. New state initiatives require Washington schools to implement the new Common Core Standards, requir- ing substantial curriculum upgrades. In the 2014-15 school year, the schools will switch to online Smarter Balance Assessments -- which align with the Common Core Standards - and will require a significant upgrade in cur- rent technology. A new Professional Growth Evaluation System places an extra burden on the budget while an increased student contact requirement will make the early release days and late starts currently used to facilitate professional development impossible.

Declining enrollment over the years - from 351 students in 2004-05 to a current enrollment of 276.5 - has resulted in decreased state funding. Since 2009, the district has attempted to cut expenditures by reducing building ad- ministration to two administrators who oversee the three buildings; Waitsburg Elementary, Preston Hall and Waits- burg High School. The librarian posi- tion was dropped to half-time as well.

In the elementary and middle school, reading and language arts specialists were eliminated in 2009 and music and fitness specialists positions were eliminated in 2012. This year the sixth grade was moved from Preston Hall to the elementary school so that 4th through 6th grades could be combined into two classes. The elementary school also shares a special education teacher with Preston Hall.

At the high school, several elec- tives, as well as a business education program, were eliminated in 2011. The school began offering online electives in 2012 and began a six period day - which requires less staffing than the former block schedule - in 2013.

The athletic department made cuts by combining with Prescott in 2008, though soccer was added in 2010 and wresting was added in 2012. Clarke commented that over two-thirds of the Waitsburg student body is actively involved in athletics or other extra- curricular activity.

In February 2012, voters in the Dis- trict approved a two-year maintenance and operations levy. In 2013 the amount of the levy was $435,000 and in 2014 it will be $447,000. A new levy measure will go before the voters in 2014.

Current maintenance and operations needs as determined by the school board include: Professional develop- ment of staff (at a cost of $7,000/day), instructional materials aligned with Common Core Standards (at roughly $25,000 per subject), continued support of co-curricular programs (Waitsburg's share of the WP Combine athletics is $120,000/year), continued support of extra transportation costs (approxi- mately $36,000), continued support of excess costs for food services, and continued support for repairs and maintenance, and staffing.

Technology upgrades are a particular concern with at least 85 of the 185 district computers unable to be upgraded and in need of re- placement. The new assess- ments will require computer upgrades as well. Discussion was invited regarding the inclusion of technology as part of the M&O levy or as a separate levy of its own.

In addition to the M&O levy is the issue of capital expenditures. Building bonds used for the modernization of all three buildings will retire in 2016 and the Board is seeking input in prioritizing future projects. In 2012 a Study and Survey of Facili- ties was completed at no cost to the district. The results of that study show the following recommendations:

Elementary school: a complete HVAC overhaul (the elementary school cur- rently has no air conditioning), a comprehensive re- model of the district kitchen, roof replacement, window replacement, upgrading the phone system and making the building ADA accessible, which includes automating the doors.

Preston Hall: installation of air conditioning, window replacement, upgrading the gym floor to reduce vibrations, provide acoustical upgrades in science room, reconfigure the administration area, technology upgrades and phone system upgrades.

High school: technology upgrades, add air condition- ing where there is none, phone upgrade, revise light- ing in hallway, upgrade boil- er/burner efficiency, replace windows, upgrade parking area, acoustical upgrade in the gym, remove moisture under elevated gym floor, replace north bleachers, light fixtures in the gym and lock- ers, replace gym roof, add a second practice gym with restrooms.

Sports complex: Con- struct a field house with restrooms, team rooms and concessions, add a cargo container for storage units, add an eight lane all-weather track, add a telephone line and relocate the Little League field.

Transportation facilities: expand the bus garage to ac- commodate larger buses and add a storage lean-to on the west side.

Public comment included repeated concern about the importance/necessity of technology upgrades. Jim Leid noted that a levy to bring in technology funds in 2016 would be too late for Smarter Balance assessment upgrades necessary in the 2014-15 school year. Mari- lyn Johnson requested that a school-funded preschool program be included with the M&O levy needs.

School Board member Ross Hamann commented that he commonly hears two sets of complaints. Staff would most like to see HVAC, phone and technol- ogy upgrades while patrons would like to see restrooms at the athletic field and an upgrade to the high school parking lot. Hamann also expressed concern over the state of the track and the field house.

Dr. Clarke suggested the possibility of hosting a patron tour of the facilities in the future. Community input is welcome and suggestions can be made by calling Clarke 337-6301 or by sharing thoughts or concerns with any School Board member.