Calhoun's school board facing major challenges
(L-R) Rick Fitzwater, Joy Starcher, Don Harris and Cynthia
Dale
By Bob Weaver
Keeping Calhoun Schools operating was a major topic at Monday night's
school board meeting.
The board is looking at placing an operating levy on the
November ballot.
Calhoun's population base is aging with fewer children living in the county and
fewer children to educate.
"The trend presents some difficult choices," said school superintendent Ron
Blankenship, referring to past and future cuts connected to the loss of funding
based on student population.
The loss of pupils and funding is being felt in most West Virginia counties.
County school enrollment has dropped 342 pupils since the new $16 million
Calhoun-Middle High School opened in 1998-1999.
Enrollment has dropped 555 students since school year 1984-85.
Projections say the county could lose 75 more students in school year
2004-05, down to 1,140. This represents an additional funding loss of
$329,000. The county gets $4,392 annually for each student.
Only 70 plus students were enrolled in each grade (K-4) at Arnoldsburg and Pleasant Hill
elementary schools in 2003-04, a red flag for
decreasing numbers to attend Calhoun Middle/High School.
School Finance Director Connie Roberts said Calhoun County has the fifth
largest loss of students in the state.
Board member Rick Fitzwater said "Our school system will eventually be
unable to function at the continuous rate of decline," cutting teachers, service
personnel and programs, while at the same time maintaining mandated
standards.
Continued cuts will also affect all extra-curricular activities.
Superintendent Ron Blankenship
and new board president Carlene
Frederick
Blankenship, a longtime advocate to adjust the state's funding formula to help
rural counties, said the problem is here.
Cutting teachers and administrators and still operate the system according to
No Child Left Behind will become increasingly difficult.
Board President Carlene Frederick said "We really need to educate the
community" about the seriousness of the issue, indicating much is at
stake.
Blankenship said while proposing a special levy he did not want the board to
threaten parents and taxpayers over what could happen if an operating levy
did not pass, saying "I don't know if we would have to close our schools,"
referring to Pleasant Hill and Arnoldsburg and move them to Mt. Zion.
Rick Fitzwater said "We have to make sure (an excess levy) would improve the
quality of service to our students."
Board members said there is some confusion that grant money can be used for
operating expenses.
Calhoun County is one of a few West Virginia counties that does not have an
operating levy to supplement services.
Blankenship said a meeting is scheduled for August 17 to ask for public input
regarding the placing of an excess levy on the November ballot to support
existing services.
The meeting will be held in the Calhoun Middle/High School auditorium starting
at 7 p.m.
A decision to place an operating levy on the November ballot will be made at
the August 23rd meeting.
Later, the board spent nearly half an hour in a lively discussion over
Superintendent Blankenship's proposal to hire retired administrator Jean
Simers on a contract basis, saying "We need a skilled person right now to
provide services."
Blankenship said he would like to hire Simers one or two days a week at
$12.50 an hour.
New board member Cynthia Dale said "I don't feel good about it," since
Blankenship would not define exactly how many hours Ms. Simers would be
working.
Blankenship said there was no one currently trained to complete some of the
tasks, after which new board member Joy Starcher said "I just think you're
going to have to start training other staff," make changes and move
forward.
"I think this job should have been posted," said Starcher.
Dale insisted on knowing how many hours Ms. Simers would be used, saying
the staff should be cross-trained.
Blankenship responded "I don't think you know what goes on around here. You
don't have a clue. Do what you want."
Frederick said "Someone needs to be trained to do that job." Blankenship said
Ms. Simers would be doing that.
Member Don Harris said "I'm fine with it (hiring Simers). Right now we need to
use her."
Fitzwater pointed out that by not hiring Simers by contract, in the long run, it
could cost the system more money.
The board voted to hire Ms. Simers as a contract worker, with Dale casting a
no vote. "We need to correct the problem, not just use a contract worker," she
said.
All the board members said the issue was not connected to the quality of work
Ms. Simers can deliver.
The board accepted the resignation of football coach Bucky Stewart, whose
job has been posted. "Coach Stewart has been good for our kids," said
President Frederick. "We hate to lose him."
Bryan Stern, an applicant for the football coach position, has replaced Stewart
during the opening of football camp.
Stewart has accepted a teaching position in Wirt County, taking a break from
coaching.
The board approved a number of other items under new business, approved several job postings and employed
some new personnel.
Details of other board business will follow.
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