Board members back consolidation
BUTLER TWP — Several Butler School Board members said Wednesday night they are more confident than ever about approving a district consolidation plan next month, especially when seeing the educational improvements that can be made with the potential $3.5 million savings.
The school board met at the Butler High School auditorium for more than five hours. More than a dozen administrators spoke for four hours about transition plans and budget changes, and board members heatedly discussed the proposed consolidation plan for about one hour before adjourning.
“After listening to these teachers and administrators that were here tonight talking, I'm excited,” said board member Carmen Bianco. “And I think this will be wonderful for the school district. I wish my kids were in school to be able to go through this.”
More than $2 million in technology improvements would likely be made in the district in the next two years with a consolidation plan in place. Also Center Avenue Elementary would transition into a district-run alternative school, bringing money back into the district.
In addition, STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, would be further emphasized at a newly formed fifth- and sixth-grade middle school.
“I think it would be a travesty to not have those opportunities for fifth- and sixth-graders,” said Don Pringle, board member. “To have some consistency of a program, to have consistency of education in a warm, welcoming environment with an elementary school within an elementary school, I really applaud you guys (the administration) for what you've done. You've done a lot of work ….
“I am a stronger believer than I ever have been.”
Broad Street, Center Avenue, Clearfield, Meridian and Oakland elementary schools would close if the board approves the plan next month. The remaining elementary schools would become kindergarten through fourth grade buildings, and fifth- and sixth-graders would attend a middle school together at the junior high building downtown.
Nine teachers would be furloughed in the plan, along with eight part-time custodial staff, four crossing guards, three health technicians and several food service staff. Other positions would be eliminated through attrition.
On the other hand, several teaching positions would be added, including two librarians, two language teachers at the proposed middle school, a gym teacher, and several staff members for the proposed alternative school at the Center Avenue Elementary School building.
The board will have a special meeting May 6 to take a final vote on the plan.
Fellow board members Al Vavro and Karen Callihan echoed similar sentiments to Bianco and Pringle about their enthusiasm on the consolidation plan. However, board members Bill Halle and John Conrad felt differently.
Halle said he'd like to see less drastic cuts over more time, perhaps by just closing Center Avenue and the junior high school.
“I think there's things that we can do, budget wise, without going to the extent of this amount of consolidation,” he said. “We're looking to increase our alternative education programs, special ed programs, our opportunity to rent child care space and so forth, which would possibly save money and probably earn the district revenue. We'd actually have a positive factor there.”
However, Dale Lumley, superintendent, did point out that because of the state Department of Education rules, the soonest the junior high building could be closed would be at the end of next school year, since a public hearing and 90-day waiting period is required before any school building closes in the state.Conrad said the board should be listening to parents' concerns. He made the situation analogous to buying a vehicle.“I think our customers want to go slower in respect to consolidation,” he said. “Our customers are the parents … We need to give the customers what they want. They have a choice” on where to send their children to school.Board President David Korn quickly retorted.“If you don't have the money to provide the customer with what they want, how can you give it to them?” Korn asked.Vavro, the board's vice president, also questioned the logic of relying on parents as a moral compass.“But John, there's 14,000 parents in this school district. How many of them don't want this. Can you give me a number out of 14,000?” he said.“Let's put our money where our mouth is,” Conrad said. “Let's put it on referendum.”The board meets again at 7:30 p.m. Monday.
