Cuts in School Budget

Create Civil Discussion

C.A.K.E. (Community Action Kinder Education) sponsored a school budget presentation in a sweltering Bethel Elementary cafeteria Monday night.

Principal Andy West presented highlights of the proposed school budget. School board members Kristin LaFromboise and David Allen were also present and provided input. About 30 community members and teachers attended.

Principal West highlighted Vermont’s high NAEP scores on a national level and Bethel/Whitcomb’s consistent math and reading scores at or above the state level. He then presented estimates for the projected declining student enrollment through 2012.

Details of the proposed budget cuts included cutting two full-time elementary classroom teachers, and half of the elementary physical education teacher position and half of a K-12 music teacher position. One K-12 technology assistant would be added.

As a whole, the budget will go down 0.5% and not exceed the per pupil spending threshold set by the state. Some areas of increased funding include a significant increase in curriculum development and repair and maintenance of the building. The much-needed canopy, furnace and parking lot repair are not included in the proposed budget, however.

Community members asked detailed questions regarding the proposed budget, sparking a civil and meaningful discussion. Parents learned that the budget cuts would result in potentially a 22:1 teacher-student ratio at the fifth and sixth grade level. Teachers expressed concern over such a high ratio, considering how much harder it is now to teach and prepare students for the mandatory NECAP testing.

Under the proposed budget, most classes would be at the approximate 18:1 ratio, which is below the 25:1 level that is considered to be "large" under state standards. Those present engaged in a think-tank type discussion, exploring ideas of combining classes with other districts, sharing music classes, interactive TV classes, increasing para-educators, school choice programs, after-school programs, "smart boards" and job sharing.

Willy Walker asked whether there were a "contingency plan" if a considerable number of new students enrolled before the start of the 2008-2009 school year. It was also noted that as many as eight new students had been enrolled within the last few months. Principal West said that problem would have to be dealt with at the time. Presumably a significant infusion of kids would also add funds to the budget.

Walker also asked at what point would it become impossible to have a K-12 school in Bethel. Principal West responded that if the per pupil threshold penalty remains the number one concern, and enrollment continues to decline or remain stable, then this question will be a very real and solemn question to be addressed every year.

School Board member David Allen predicted that the "expand or close" question could become a reality within three years.

Declining enrollment is a statewide trend in small schools, and the only savior for Bethel may be increased enrollment. Smaller schools are competing for fewer kids, reflecting the state’s decreasing number of parents with school-aged children. Bethel’s curriculum improvements have been added to the budget in an effort to attract more children.

Principal West admitted that the budget cuts were not ideal and would add demands to his job. But he added that the proposed budget was "doable" and that it strikes a balance necessary among all those concerned.

(This article was reported and written by Community Action Kinder Education.)