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Santa
Fe Trail Board of Education
Board united in dividing
District responds to funding crunch by
combining grades at separate buildings
Gabe Faimon | Reporter
CARBONDALE—“I move to adopt the reorganization plan
that places preschool, kindergarten, first and second grades at
OAC (Overbrook Attendance Center), grades three and four at SAC
(Scranton Attendance Center), and grades five, six, seven and eight
at CAC (Carbondale Attendance Center),” said Randy Boudeman,
Santa Fe Trail School District Board of Education president.
The motion, seconded by board member Brad Fischer, passed 6-0 during
the March 4 special meeting.
The board’s action was the culmination of months-long consideration
of the school district’s finances, facing impending state
funding cuts for the current school year, anticipated cuts for 2009-2010
and subsequent budget years, and declining enrollment.
At the Dec. 8 meeting, the board received Regan Erickson’s
report of the Kansas Department of Transportation rescission of
drivers’ training funds for the current school year. In January,
the board heard Superintendent Steve Pegram’s assessment of
the district’s challenges; the result was a series of public
meetings.
In addition to last week’s meeting, the board received public
input in four regular board meetings, one special board meeting
and three community meetings. Through these meetings, proposed strategies
for the district to meet its challenges were received and evaluated.
The March 4 audience of more than 70 reflected a cross section of
the district, including patrons, taxpayers, faculty members, administrators,
classified employees and retired educators.
Dialogue between members of the audience and the board brought out
the following points:
• The district should proceed with reorganization to save
money for educational purposes.
• Reorganizing will be more of a struggle as three communities,
instead of a unified school district.
• Declining enrollment must be considered in the plan.
• If focus is education instead of a two-block walk, then
the children benefit.
• Parents who participate are going to participate, regardless
of schools’ locations.
In closing remarks to the board, Pegram said, “The board has
attempted to listen to community concerns and adjust the plans presented
due to the input of district patrons. One theme that emerged at
two of the three community meetings was that reorganization should
have occurred 20 years ago. Even though this might not have been
communicated at one of the community meetings, you and I have received
emails from this community believing reorganization should occur.” |
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