SYRACUSE - The Wawasee Community School Corporation discussed at length proposed budget reduction measures during the portion of their board meeting open to public comments.
In order to function within a working budget, the school corporation will have to reduce its expenditures by $1,300,000.
Some of the first reductions to be made will be the elimination of two administrative positions and two school counselor positions.Several teachers and parents, representing the school corporation's various communities, were on hand to share their concerns. B.J. Roberts, representing the Wawasee Community Educator's Association, expressed the concern shared by many that staffing cuts will impact students and their families in ways beyond the classroom.
"We thought it would be important that the school board see some of the people whose jobs would actually be cut," she said, referring to some of the staff who were in attendance. "We're trying to get a grasp of the numbers right now. We hope that we can resolve some of these layoffs and cut backs."
Since the positions of school counselors are part of proposed cuts, several concerned parents were in the meeting to show support for keeping the counselors on staff.
Kasey Hartley, the father of a student at North Webster elementary, expressed how important the school counselors have been to his family. "just to give a little bit of background, our son was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome (a form of autism) three years ago," he said. "One of the integral parts of getting through that rough process was the guidance counselor at North Webster elementary School. She helped with social skills and helped transition him into special needs programs. Without her help, we would have had a major task getting people to understand what was going on.
"I'm so concerned that if that position is eliminated, there are so many other kids who are going to need that, as they come through the elementary school grades."
James Dubb, also from North Webster, expressed similar concerns about the guidance counselor position. "Things happen in life," Dubb said. "I have three small girls who go to North Webster. It's been really hard for me because I'm divorced. The guidance counselor has been there to help with the girls. It's meant a lot to me and to my girls."
Dick Schmit, who has worked as a professional youth counselor, expressed the need for counselors. "I've seen the repercussions of not having counselors on hand," he said. "I feel it isn't about the money. I believe it's about the children."
In an attempt to "share the burden", the cuts will be spread out, throughout the school system. For example, cuts of 66 total hours per day of classified staff will save $150,000; a certified staff reduction of five will save $250,000; and the elimination of two administration positions will save $200,000.
Further deep cuts will result in non-classroom areas of administration and counseling. For classified staff positions, the focus will be more on reducing the number of hours rather than positions.
All of this will be necessary since most federal stimulus programs at Wawasee will be reduced or eliminated. However, every effort will be made so that services to students, along with layoffs of employees, will be minimized.
"We're not sure how our administrators will be positioned next year," Superintendent Dr. Tom Edington said. "There's still some things we're discussing as far as how to fill those holes.We're looking at options."
Edington said that by spring break, the school corporation will hear from the state about the ability to transfer funds, and what cuts can be made. By the April board meeting, he hopes to present a proposed list of things to do to bring the budget in line, and to vote on any reduction in certified staffing. By this summer, staffing for the 2010-2011 school year should be finalized.
In personnel matters, the board accepted Jodi Sautter for employment with the corporation as a Highly Qualified title 1 paraprofessional at North Webster elementary School.
Wawasee High School Principal Ellen Stevens has submitted her letter of retirement, effective June 30, 2010. She has been with the corporation 5 years.
In transfers, Gina Bordones has transferred from a full-time third grade position to a half-time third grade position for the remainder of the year; Anthony Ryl-Kuchar has transferred from bus route 29 to special needs routes 3.
Leaves of absence have been granted to Tifani Beer, from April 26 through the end of year; and Wendy Jagger has requested leave beginning April 19, through the rest of the year.
Timothy Ringler, bus mechanic with the corporation since 1989, has submitted his letter of retirement, effective April 30, 2010. Lester Stanley is no longer employed with the corporation.
In financial matters, the board accepted a donation of $500 to WHS Academic Super Bowl Team by the Wawasee Kiwanis Club, and a donation of $500 to WHS Dollars for Scholars by the K-21 Health Foundation in honor of Beck Doll.
