Transition Time

Published 4:00 pm Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Transition Time

JOHN DAY Consolidating three campuses into two is a complex, but doable process, officials say.

We just have to go step by step by step, said Grant District 3 Superintendent Mark Witty.

District officials are starting to take those steps since the school board voted Jan. 12 to close Mt. Vernon Middle School at the end of the school year, and approved administrative assignments recommended by Witty. The change will shift grade 6 to Humbolt Elementary School and grades 7-8 to Grant Union High School.

In an interview last week, Witty said teaching staff and other employees affected by the consolidation of campuses will soon be informed of their new assignments or layoffs.

We have to go through proper personnel channels as per contract and state law, said Witty regarding the staff changes.

The superintendent said last week that school principals will consult with staff to determine the best skill sets and qualifications needed to continue quality programs. Grant Unions Family and Consumer Sciences program is the only program to be phased out; its teacher, Virginia Kendall, plans to retire at the end of the school year.

Witty said that except for a few cases where decisions will take longer, employees will be informed of their status within the next week or so.

We want to give people notice as soon as is reasonably possible so we can build schedules, and because its the right thing to do, he said. As soon as we have appropriate information well make a reasonable decision to continue to go through the process. Im very proud of our staff I recognize theyre working in a difficult situation.

Any layoffs must have school board approval, Witty said.

Although declining to give specifics of any of the upcoming changes, Witty said two teachers will be assigned to the sixth grade at Humbolt, but the rest of the teaching staff decisions at the campuses were still being determined.

    Classified staffing will be handled based on contracts and seniority as best as we can. Theyve been troopers, Witty said.

    Projections for a declining revenue in the next few years prompted the district to consider its options. The school board chose consolidation because it has the potential to save the district the most money, while maintaining educational program quality.

The option raises the possibility of layoffs, however.

I have said all along that I cant take layoffs off the table, Witty said. We have to be fiscally responsible. We need to be able to live within our means, with our goal of maintaining as many programs as we can.

Throughout the state, other school districts are facing similar situations due to the declining economy and limited state revenues. Districts receive state funds based on the number of students enrolled, and in Grant County the student numbers are dropping.

Most school districts now face cutting about 6 percent from their budgets over the next two to three years. In the case of Grant School District 3, it means a reduction of about $600,000, Witty said.

He expects consolidation to result in significant savings over the next two to three years.

After this school year, Mt. Vernon Middle School Principal Monty Nash will become principal at Humbolt Elementary, while current Humbolt principal Kris Beal will take a post at the newly configured Grant Union Junior-Senior High School.  Beal will work with Grant Union Principal Curt Shelley on administrative duties and help ensure a smooth transition; she also will also work with students needing additional assistance to meet state benchmarks in reading and writing.

Beal has been in the district, teaching at Seneca and Mt. Vernon Middle School, and in administration at Grant Union and at Humbolt.

Witty said hes pleased to be able to use Beals varied skills with the district changes.

He noted that while money is tight, the standards that students must meet in order to graduate are getting even harder. Students must pass rigorous standardized tests, showing scores that demonstrate abilities to succeed in post-secondary education.

While students can re-take regular courses, sometimes it isnt enough, Witty said. If they dont make it, they dont graduate.

As consolidation plans proceed, there will be meetings for students and parents to get more information and air concerns.

Witty addressed a few misconceptions about consolidation last week, noting that Seneca School will remain K-8, and that 7th- and 8th-grade athletics will continue.

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