Board members share views

By Kate Malongowski Eagle Staff Writer

January 10, 2015 Last Updated: January 10, 2015 11:09 AM Local News

Consolidation vote expected

On Monday, Butler School Board members are expected to take a preliminary vote on a consolidation plan that could close several schools and reconfigure grades starting in the fall.

Since October, board members have considered several recommended plans. Here are some of their comments about this issue:

David Korn

New board President David Korn said mulling a consolidation decision has been hard for board members, but he is confident they have done their homework.

“We’ve had very limited time to kind of address things publicly, but I feel all of the board members have done their due diligence,” he said.

He said the consolidation issue is like a leaky bucket system. An overhaul is necessary; a simple patch over a hole won’t do.

He and other board members have pored through e-mails and letters and taken phone calls about the proposals. Each of those voices carry weight, he said.

He stressed the expected vote Monday wouldn’t set a consolidation plan in stone.

“I want to do what’s best for the students of the school district. It’s going to be a tough decision, but there is some time left,” Korn said. “I have full confidence in our administration as well.”

Allowing better technology in classrooms and putting more of the school budget back to students and classrooms would be “phenomenal,” he said.

Al Vavro

Vavro, who is board vice president, taught and was a principal in the district for a number of years.

He’s read numerous books on education since the consolidation effort began, in addition to getting community input. He said changes in the district are necessary.

“I just think the K to 4 thing makes sense,” Vavro said.

“I think they can be better served with a staff. That the staff can really communicate and work together with all the fifth graders and all the sixth graders. I just think it’s beneficial to the kids. It’s more beneficial to the educational system, and that’s my only concern.”

The needs of younger children compared to older children are different socially, emotionally and educationally. Providing primary and an intermediate elementary building would allow more focus to each, he said.

Vavro also noted consolidation in Butler is not new.

“I understand the parents’ concerns about neighborhood schools. But you know what? We did close ... six elementary schools,” he said, citing West End, Institute Hill, Bon Air and Lyndora as examples. “These communities have thrived and survived.”

He said, “We’ve got to get the ball rolling. We’ve got to make the decisions. The transition is important.”

John Conrad

As an engineer for Westinghouse, Conrad takes a somewhat scientific approach to the consolidation plans. He said he assesses risk when making changes at his job.

“It’s my thought we have to do the same thing here as well,” he said, referring to the plan.

Without additional study or data, he said his thought is to minimize the changes at the elementary level.

“With respect to realigning the K through 6 model, we have no history. My thought is we need to do our due diligence and look in exactly what we’re getting ourselves into.

“Like the nuclear industry, we don’t get a redo. We need to make sure we do this right the first time.”

He said the consultant to the district has not factored the risk of unhappy parents leaving the district. The vast majority of e-mails, letters and phone calls he’s gotten are in favor of keeping the kindergarten through sixth grade elementary school model.

“That’s huge,” Conrad said.

While he said the kindergarten through sixth grade model is the best option of the three, it still needs work. Parents, students and taxpayers all need to be considered, he said.

Neil Convery

As a parent with young children, Convery sees the consolidation from multiple perspectives.

“I can look at this from a personal standpoint that the learning support space remaining available for students who need it has to be part of the plan that we approve,” he said. “That’s a very big factor for me.”

He’s also considering consistency across schools, particularly with specialized staffing, in making a decision. He feels that he’ll vote for the plan that realigns elementary schools to kindergarten through fourth grade.

“I can say comfortably that the 4B plan, that puts fifth and sixth graders at the junior high, in my mind is the only option that continues to provide the space for learning support pull out, if necessary,” Convery said.

However, he does still have reservations with some details of that plan.

“My issue with that in making a vote on that though is I don’t, at this point, have a very clear understanding of exactly how they’re doing the redistricting of these different schools that would be closed and remaining open, frankly. And it’s very important to get a clear picture of that,” he said.

Bill Halle

Halle posted a three-page letter online regarding the consolidation decision, suggesting a plan of his own.

“I’m in favor of a full-day kindergarten and K through 3, but in a different configuration than what (the consultant) provided. I’d probably keep more elementary schools than what they’re proposing,” he said.

“If we had the dollars that we could improve our current K through 6 system, I would agree with keeping it. But we do not have the funds to make improvements to our K through 6 programs.”

As the founder of the Grace Youth and Family Foundation, an outreach nonprofit, an important factor to him includes being sensitive to students from differing socioeconomic backgrounds.

He said a kindergarten through third grade structure would help put focus on all students, including those who struggle and those who excel.

Increased classroom support and improved technology also are key factors to him.

However, he said, “None of the plans that have been presented so far I would vote for. I think it is naive to think ... just because we’re going to take city school kids and send them to a different school ... is better.

“I want to see a redistricting of all students into fewer elementary schools that is closest to their neighborhoods.”

Jim Keffalas

In an e-mailed statement, Keffalas said, “The BASD student enrollment numbers over the past decade (and longer) show a steady and continuing current and future enrollment decline. Failing to act on this compelling decrease in enrollment data and excess capacity would be unfair to taxpayers and unfair to the students.

“Efficient use of facilities and the related cost savings will allow for a better student outcome. Savings can be use to expand technology use in the classroom which we are in need of.

“Class sizes will be more uniform at each grade level with less buildings — providing a more equitable educational experience.

“I am hopeful that more team teaching will occur with consolidation to the benefit of students and teachers.”

Keffalas supports keeping the junior high open because of its central location and keeping at least one of the city elementary schools open.

“I am confident that the final consolidation action taken by this board will provide more resources to the students and classrooms by eliminating waste and inefficiency.”

Don Pringle

Pringle e-mailed this statement: “I am looking toward ‘hearing’ all the final statements before I make a decision on how to cast my vote. This vote is very important for everyone in Butler, and I know not everyone will be happy on any way the vote may go. I hope to serve the Butler students, taxpayers and residents to the best of my ability.”

Carmen Bianco

Bianco did not return calls and e-mails for comment.

Karen Callihan

Callihan did not return calls and e-mails for comment.