by Glenda Wallace
“If we have to do it, we have to do it.”
That was the sentiment from an Alberton resident attending the school board meeting Monday night as the board unanimously voted to adopt a four-day school week. The new 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-to-Thursday schedule goes into effect in September.
The change is intended to save money for the district, which faces a budget shortfall in academic year 2008-09.
“Nobody wants to have to do this,” said Board Chair Steve Piippo about the spending reductions. “But we’re backed into a corner and we have to do what is best for the district in general and it comes at a price.”
In February, the district deficit stood at $125,000. Today, the operating shortfall has been reduced by $76,000 to $40,000 through staff retirements, voluntary schedule cuts, and personnel pay cuts.
Board members also voted to ask taxpayers to approve a $46,000, 16-mill levy increase this spring. Voters will decide that issue on the May 6 ballot.
This represents about $6 a month for a home valued at $200,000, Piippo said.
About two dozen people attended the March 10 school board meeting in the Alberton High School. Aside from one staff member who expressed concern about the cutback in hours, there were no other comments before the board’s vote.
The district has been exploring the possibility of operating on reduced schedule for several years, officials say. Last month, 30 people attended a public meeting to discuss the option, including several parents concerned with the cost of daycare on Fridays.
Keynote speaker was Victor Public Schools Superintendent Orville Getz, who became
an advocate of the four-day setup after operating with it since 2006.
The four-day schedule offers savings in heating buildings, fueling school buses, and paying lunchtime personnel. Students also receive a better—more concentrated—education, advocates say.
At the meeting this week, one Alberton math teacher indicated she was looking forward to improving math scores. Victor has been dominating in math competitions since adopting a schedule that allows teachers 90 minutes for core subjects, such as math and writing, Superintendent Jim Baldwin said.
Board members accepted the resignation of history teacher Bert Blackman, a 34-year veteran with the district, at the Monday meeting. They also approved the one-third teaching status request from industrial arts teacher Jim Johnson. Baldwin reported that his reduced scheduled will save the District $30,000 annually.
Baldwin is also taking a hit for the team: a $6,000 annual pay cut.
“I’m the District’s highest paid employee and I wanted to set a good example,” he said, “so that’s what I did. We’re trying every way possible to cut costs. We want people to know that we aren’t trying to gouge [the taxpayer].”
Board Member Piippo thanked those who contributed their thoughts, in public and private, for and against the four-day schedule and cost savings ideas.
“We need input by people who have seen more and done more and been to more places than we have,” he said. “It’s the only way to make a good decision is to question what we’re doing.”
Along with the mill levy request in May, voters may also vote on two board positions. As of Wednesday morning, current board members Sandy Neis and Abe Kurrien had filed for the two positions. If there are no other candidates by March 27, the two will be elected by acclamation.
Board members approved a resolution for election for the board positions and the levy, as well as a variety of school expenditures and changes in policies.
During the first portion of the hour-long meeting, elementary math teacher Elizabeth Stuart demonstrated the advantages of a computer-supported “Smart Board.” Serving the same purpose as a blackboard, the Smart Board is white, about the size of a flat-screen television, with user-friendly software that allows teachers to build visual displays in advance and in the classroom. The touch-tone screen is also kid-friendly.
Baldwin told the Chronicle that the District recently purchased three of the $1,600 systems. They are being used in the fourth grade, business and math classes. His goal is to have one in each classroom and has requested money for more in a recently submitted $200,000 Library Grant application. The district will know its outcome in June.
The Alberton School District ranges from Fish Creek to Petty Creek and serves 180 students. The elementary school is on the National Register of Historic Places.
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