USD 234 proposes school changes

USD 234 officials are considering a proposal that would change the way local elementary schools are configured.

During their regular meeting on Monday, the USD 234 Board of Education is scheduled to discuss a proposal that would reconfigure the grade levels at Winfield Scott Elementary School and Eugene Ware Elementary School into what are called elementary attendance centers. Both schools currently serve a combined total of more than 900 kindergarten through fifth grade students.

School officials said the change may be the best solution at a time when USD 234 and hundreds of other public school districts across the state are facing more budget cuts, staff reductions, and larger class sizes.

"We're talking of making a change in the configuration of the elementary schools," Winfield Scott Principal David Elliott said. "With the budget situation, things are not looking so good money-wise ... if we have to downsize, we can minimize the impact on class size with a new configuration."

If the proposal is put into effect, one of the school buildings would contain all kindergarten through second grade students in the district, while the other building would house all third through fifth grade students in the district -- a configuration that officials said would be most accommodating for both schools.

"There are a lot of pros and cons to it," Elliott said. "It would spread kids over a larger number of classrooms, minimizing the impact of having to reduce staff ... we have to reduce our budget for the fall and we're considering reducing the number of teachers we have. We're in a spot right now where we're looking at 'What's the least bad?'"

Eugene Ware Principal Billie Jo Drake said she also supports the plan, and although it may not be initially popular in the community, it presents benefits.

"In light of current budgeting and AYP (adequate yearly progress) situations, it's probably a step that is overdue in Fort Scott," she said. "It probably won't be a popular step at first, I don't think ... it might possibly not be a huge budget money saver but it will instantaneously guarantee that every one of our class sizes at elementary schools would be equalized. And it's improved education for our kids."

Drake added, "It will allow all teachers at grade level in the same district to collaborate and plan on a daily basis rather than the two to three times per year as we usually do."

If the schools are reconfigured as attendance centers, students will be divided up not by their current address, which currently dictates where each student attends school, but by their grade level, Drake said.

School officials have discussed the idea for the elementary attendance centers in the past but are seriously considering the idea now due to the advantages they provide schools, Drake said.

"It's been tossed around many times in the past, and it's become popular again because it has allowed districts to combine resources and close some small schools," she said. "If both (elementary) schools maintained the same number of teachers and students, it probably would not be an issue, but it fluctuates. Attendance centers would do away with the problem altogether."

The board will discuss the matter along with other items on the agenda during their meeting at 5 p.m. Monday in the USD 234 Board of Education Office, 424 S. Main St. The board also has scheduled an executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel and matters relating to actions adversely or favorably affecting a person as a student.