Community Gives Input to Board

March 1, 2010 • Christa Hill  
Filed under News

Approximately 100 teachers and community members attended the public forum over budget cuts last Monday. The USD 336 Board of Education wanted to hear ideas from the community concerning areas to cut should hard choices have to be made during the coming year.

Said Board President Steve Bowser, “Nothing is set and stone and we are open to any ideas to stretch our dollars.”

One of the top concerns of teachers and students is next year’s schedule. Some on the board would like to consider changing to a seven- period day to save money. However, the majority of the teachers and community present were still for block scheduling.

Jason Larison, HHS agriculture education teacher at Holton High School spoke in favor of the block scheduling, saying, “Block scheduling helps to put extra tools in the students’ toolboxes while they are still here at high school.”

These “tools” would be the opportunity to take additional courses under the block system that students would not be able to take without that eighth option.

Jordan Snepp, junior, spoke on behalf of many students, saying, “We aren’t as rushed on the block schedule; we learn better on the block schedule. If we would go to the seven- period day, we might not get the chance to realize what we want to do in our lives by taking electives.

“For example, after middle school I thought I wanted to go into the science field, but then on the eight-period day I was able to take an elective under Mr. Hernandez and found out that I really liked computers more. I would have wasted a whole year in college had I pursued the science field.”

A question posed by Tad Hernandez was, “As a school, how progressive of a district do we want Holton to be?” He said decisions should be made based on what is best for the students.

Patrons suggested that rather than cutting teachers and aides, the Board should look at the extracurricular and clubs that impact only some of the student body and not all. They also suggested possibly cutting coaching staff on the football team and combing HMS girls and boys basketball.

Superintendent Karleskint urged patrons and students who had strong feelings on the budget cuts to write a letter to their representatives and the governor.  Because email inboxes are often full, Karleskint said the personal touch of a handwritten letter is the best approach and to send a carbon copy to the governor on personal stationery.

Board member Todd Holaday said to make it clear to elected officials where you stand by stating your opinion “in black and white” and reminding them that they are elected officials. 

Tags:

 Email This Post        Print This Post