Concern expressed over school restructuring

About 30-35 concerned parents and teachers packed the USD 234 Board of Education office Monday to hear more information on a district proposal to change the configuration of both local elementary schools.

While not everyone present chose to address the board during their regular meeting, some chose to voice their opinions on the issue -- a proposal to reconfigure the grade levels at Winfield Scott Elementary School and Eugene Ware Elementary School into what are called attendance centers.

Pat Wheeler, a concerned grandparent of an elementary school student in the district, told the board that she does not support the proposal.

"Our grade schools are a safe haven for children, and we can't change that around," Wheeler said. "Grade schools are the one constant in their lives. Why not cut programs instead? ... this (change) will only have an adverse affect on children."

Wheeler also said she has spoken recently with several teachers and parents in the district who also "don't agree" with the proposal, and that she will address the board again in the future if the proposal is eventually adopted.

"You will be hearing from me," Wheeler said.

USD 234 Board President Matt Ida said the idea is strictly a proposal that the board will have to spend some time considering all aspects of before making a decision.

"A decision has not been made on this," Ida said. "We want to hear input from teachers and parents."

Ida added that he is "not trying to advocate a position" on the matter, although he said he does believe the proposal presents some educational benefits and could be a sound choice for the schools if the district budget is going to continue to be cut in the near future.

"I know consistency is an issue for some of you ... we're facing some reductions in staff, larger class sizes, it's all uncertain," he said. "Whatever we decide, it's about educating the kids first and foremost ... (the budget) is not a one-year problem ... we're getting ready for a worse case scenario because it's going to get worse."

Other parents and teachers present at the meeting expressed concerns they have with the proposal, such as problems busing a student to a different school, having their child attend a different school that he or she is not used to, how trains affect traffic on school mornings, larger class sizes, and the costs associated with the proposal, among others.

Winfield Scott Principal David Elliott said the proposal could be the best solution for schools as they face budget cuts, staff reductions, and larger class sizes.

"If we have to downsize, we can minimize the impact on class size with a new configuration," he said.

Eugene Ware Principal Billie Jo Drake said she also supports the plan because of the educational benefits it provides schools.

"It will instantaneously guarantee that every one of our class sizes at elementary schools would be equalized," she said. "And it's improved education for our kids."

Ida said school officials are not sure what the state's budget for public schools will look like after this school year, nor the financial impact of the proposal on the district budget, but the matter will be discussed thoroughly and figures will be available to the public before the board makes a decision on the issue.

The new configuration, if put into effect, would place all kindergarten through second grade students in the district in one elementary school building and all third through fifth grade students in the district in the other elementary school building.

In the new attendance centers, all students would be divided up not by their current address, which currently dictates where each student attends school, but by their grade level.

Another story containing more information on the proposal appeared in the Friday edition of the Tribune.