Budget crunch will be focus of special April 1 meeting

By Ali Bronsdon / Leader Staff

ST. IGNATIUS — It was standing room only last Tuesday night, March 18, at the St. Ignatius School Board Meeting. Administrators, parents, representatives from the sheriff's department, city council, school staff and press packed in to listen and speak their mind about the pressing budget concerns for next year.

The board is preparing to make significant cuts, but what exactly will be cut has yet to be determined as the board tabled the decision until a special meeting scheduled for April 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the district board office across from the high school.

The board is considering slashing four or possibly five and one-half teaching positions, including two Title I positions, one elementary and one social worker. Also on the table is reducing the Spanish position from full-time to part-time, according to middle and high school principle and acting superintendent Jason Sargent.

"I did not know having good teachers was optional," said Stacy Pule, an English teacher from the Middle School who asked the board to consider all other options before cutting staff. "We love our middle school. Our middle school is running well, we see great progress with our students and we want to see things stay the way they are."

But the board has crunched the numbers repeatedly and the money to retain all positions and programs is just not there, according to vice chairperson Kristie Nerby, who was particularly concerned with the prospect of reducing the school's Student Resource Officer position to part-time.

"If it was up to us, we'd keep everything as it is," said school board chairperson David Orr. "We know we have a good school and we love our programs, but we are all adults here, we balance our check books and we need you to work with us."

"This is a hugely complicated issue and I do not envy any of you," said Marine Johnson, a parent who pleaded with the board to leave the school's music program in tact exactly as it is. Johnson pointed out that the study of music has been proven to strengthen math, English and study skills as well as give kids confidence, among other things.

"We are in a crisis situation," she said. "Everyone needs to say, 'It can be done.' The school needs to talk to community leaders. We need to figure out how to get people to move into our community and become a part of our schools."

The board also:

? Approved the resignations of fourth grade teacher Tonia O'Hern, Dian Jenkins, who has been with the district for 20 years, and Marsha Frey. "After 36 years of teaching, I feel it is time for our younger teachers to forge ahead… I hope this will allow us to keep our current staff," Frey stated in her resignation letter to the board.

? Approved the hiring of Sara Ashley as the high school assistant tennis coach for 2007-2008, Verla Smith for a custodial position and Diana Whaley as a full-time paraprofessional until the end of the year.

? Rejected Athletic Director Alan Pule's proposal to fund a middle school tennis program. The program would involve paying for a coaching salary and transportation to away matches, and the board said it could not justify spending money on sports when teaching positions were on the chopping block. "It is that sort of dichotomy that makes our job so hard," said Nerby.

? Heard an update from the city council, provided by Marine Johnson, which included future plans for the town's water system. "I encourage people to get out there and give input to city council," said Johnson. "We are all looking for more funding. That depends on enrollment… We would like to encourage subdivisions, but we can't until the water is done. It all has to work hand-in-hand."

? Considered two calendars for the 2008-2009 school year, which will be voted on next week. The option of moving to a four-day week was briefly discussed. "We have to look at the whole picture," said Sargent. "It may save us money in transportation and other costs, but are the longer days really better for our kids?"

? Received an update from Indian Education Committee President Mike Durglo about the committee's recent actions. According to Durglo, the IEC will no longer cover the entire cost of correspondence courses, which a struggling student sometimes needs to complete before graduating and can cost around $120 apiece. Instead, the IEC will assist with half of the cost and hope students are held more accountable for finishing the course. Also, the IEC plans to send six students to the Montana Indian Education Association's 2008 Conference at the Garden Hilton Inn in Missoula April 24-26.

Durglo also expressed his desire to generate better communication between the school board and the IEC. He said, "We hope to work closely with the board and talk about what we can do to help each other and help you with these decisions."