Board Approves Part-time Hire

WAITSBURG - In a grudging decision, Waitsburg's School Board voted to hire an additional certificated teacher for the 2014-15 school year, with the District absorbing the cost of the nonstate funded position.

The part-time position will allow the district to provide one class per elementary grade level - rather than the current combined classes - and the sixth grade class will move from the elementary school to Preston Hall. The decision was made in response to instructional and scheduling challenges posed by the current 4th - 6th grade combined class configuration.

A work session preceding the April 16 Board Meeting was attended largely by staff members, who expressed concern at the projected 29-student class size, should the 5th and 6th grades remain combined in the upcoming school year. Teachers commented on space issues and the difficulty of meeting individual educational and emotional needs in such a large class.

"With the increased assessment demands, the stakes are really high. When you have 29 kids to one teacher, trying to get them to hit their mark, that's really difficult," said high school Language Arts Instructor Liv Leid.

Board members struggled with budgetary concerns and the fact that the district already exceeds the state's teacher-per-student funding ratio allocation. They were also hesitant to add an additional position, knowing they might need to let the teacher go the following year. Board members reviewed four options ranging from continuing with a 5th/6th combined classroom to hiring a fulltime

6th grade teacher.

Some staff members cited a surplus in the General Fund that could cover the expense of an additional teacher, but Superintendent Carol Clarke cautioned that several teachers will be retiring in the next few years and funds will be necessary to cover sick pay buyouts.

"Those cash reserves are there for a reason," said Board Member Greg Zuger. "It for the rainy day. Our state is not stable, our federal government is not stable. We have to have a reserve in case we don't get paid. We have to pay you. It's a concern we have."

Other board members cited similar concerns, but in the end voted unanimously to "concede" to the addition of a .6 part-time teacher, for one year only.

"We're getting a lot of different comments and input," said Board Chair Ross Hamann. "The audience watching this District is larger than what's in this room. It's a difficult decision."