Manchester Schools Eye Cuts
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
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According to information presented to the school board, the shortfall was caused by state cutbacks in funding, the state taking over all schools' general funds, the state's elimination of property tax revenue for schools and the state "not making good" on financial funding for programs like all-day kindergarten.[[In-content Ad]]"There is no sense in this at all," said Dr. Diana Showalter, superintendent. "It makes no sense to me whatsoever in terms of education. ... The things we are being asked to do don't make sense. Not for us, and definitely not for the kids."
So far, the school has eliminated 15 positions and reduced the hours of seven other employees and enacted energy-saving practices. Also, a reduction in force list is being compiled in case teachers need to be cut at the end of the year.
Several cost-reducing measures were unveiled and proposed Tuesday night.
For the 2010-11 school year, the biggest changes proposed involve buildings and their upkeep. In the plan, students in grades seven and eight will be moved to the Manchester High School Building, and a portion of the Manchester Junior High School building will be closed.
With this proposed configuration, kindergarten through fourth grades will be housed in the Manchester Elementary School building; grades five and six will stay at Manchester Intermediate School, and grades seven through 12 will be housed primarily in the Manchester High School building. This change could save the school corporation $50,000.
According to a presentation given by Superintendent Dr. Diana Showalter and Business Manager Steve Shumaker, having students in grades seven through 12 "in one building allows students to access teachers and classes matching ability levels" and allows for the "most efficient use of teacher and student time (with) less traveling between buildings." It also allows the food service to be done all in one building and makes better use of textbooks and other resources.
Also, cutting one counselor position and one administrator position could reduce the budget by $150,000.
The school system will change from its current trimester grading system to a semester grading system. Also, the number of secondary teachers will be reduced by four or six positions. Considering teaching, custodial and office staff, this change could could result in a savings of $200,000.
The changes proposed for the 2010-2011 school year could total $400,000.
Other changes proposed would affect the 2011-12 school year. In that section of the plan, MES would be home to grades kindergarten through four; Manchester Junior High School would house grades five and six; and grades seven through 12 would be at MHS. If enrollment permits, Manchester Intermediate School would be closed, as would the Maple Park Educational Center if space was available for offices in Manchester Junior High.
This part of the plan would allow for coordination of grade five through 12 curriculum and the maximum sharing of student needs. Also, there would be less travel time for teachers as well as less time for bus shuttles to Manchester Intermediate School.
The cost reduction plan will be presented for board action at at the regular school board meeting April 13. On April 14, the 2010-11 administrator assignments will be announced, and on May 4 there will be a reduction-in-force vote by the school board.
While many changes are being made, the plan allows the corporation to maintain full-day kindergarten, Reading Recovery program, keep the elementary classroom status quo and keep elementary special classes such as music, art and physical education.
In other business, the board:
n Accepted the retirements of Christine Fisher, Reading Recovery teacher at MES; Joyce Eberly, fourth grade teacher at MES; Ron Eberly, physical education teacher; and Bonnie Ingraham, principal at MES.
n Approved a motion to continue the Driver's Education Program in 2010.
n Accepted two $100 grants from Tri Kappa, one for MJHS theater and te other for MHS band.
According to information presented to the school board, the shortfall was caused by state cutbacks in funding, the state taking over all schools' general funds, the state's elimination of property tax revenue for schools and the state "not making good" on financial funding for programs like all-day kindergarten.[[In-content Ad]]"There is no sense in this at all," said Dr. Diana Showalter, superintendent. "It makes no sense to me whatsoever in terms of education. ... The things we are being asked to do don't make sense. Not for us, and definitely not for the kids."
So far, the school has eliminated 15 positions and reduced the hours of seven other employees and enacted energy-saving practices. Also, a reduction in force list is being compiled in case teachers need to be cut at the end of the year.
Several cost-reducing measures were unveiled and proposed Tuesday night.
For the 2010-11 school year, the biggest changes proposed involve buildings and their upkeep. In the plan, students in grades seven and eight will be moved to the Manchester High School Building, and a portion of the Manchester Junior High School building will be closed.
With this proposed configuration, kindergarten through fourth grades will be housed in the Manchester Elementary School building; grades five and six will stay at Manchester Intermediate School, and grades seven through 12 will be housed primarily in the Manchester High School building. This change could save the school corporation $50,000.
According to a presentation given by Superintendent Dr. Diana Showalter and Business Manager Steve Shumaker, having students in grades seven through 12 "in one building allows students to access teachers and classes matching ability levels" and allows for the "most efficient use of teacher and student time (with) less traveling between buildings." It also allows the food service to be done all in one building and makes better use of textbooks and other resources.
Also, cutting one counselor position and one administrator position could reduce the budget by $150,000.
The school system will change from its current trimester grading system to a semester grading system. Also, the number of secondary teachers will be reduced by four or six positions. Considering teaching, custodial and office staff, this change could could result in a savings of $200,000.
The changes proposed for the 2010-2011 school year could total $400,000.
Other changes proposed would affect the 2011-12 school year. In that section of the plan, MES would be home to grades kindergarten through four; Manchester Junior High School would house grades five and six; and grades seven through 12 would be at MHS. If enrollment permits, Manchester Intermediate School would be closed, as would the Maple Park Educational Center if space was available for offices in Manchester Junior High.
This part of the plan would allow for coordination of grade five through 12 curriculum and the maximum sharing of student needs. Also, there would be less travel time for teachers as well as less time for bus shuttles to Manchester Intermediate School.
The cost reduction plan will be presented for board action at at the regular school board meeting April 13. On April 14, the 2010-11 administrator assignments will be announced, and on May 4 there will be a reduction-in-force vote by the school board.
While many changes are being made, the plan allows the corporation to maintain full-day kindergarten, Reading Recovery program, keep the elementary classroom status quo and keep elementary special classes such as music, art and physical education.
In other business, the board:
n Accepted the retirements of Christine Fisher, Reading Recovery teacher at MES; Joyce Eberly, fourth grade teacher at MES; Ron Eberly, physical education teacher; and Bonnie Ingraham, principal at MES.
n Approved a motion to continue the Driver's Education Program in 2010.
n Accepted two $100 grants from Tri Kappa, one for MJHS theater and te other for MHS band.
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