It was standing room only in the Jane Mianowski Conference Room at School District 166 for the May 21 school board meeting. Community members turned out to show support for teachers who were possibly facing reductions in programming and work hours. After about an hour of impassioned pleas to protect fine arts programming, the public comment period closed and the school board addressed other issues before again discussing the impact of the proposed teacher reductions to students.
Superintendent Beth Schwarz noted that for the art position, there would be no impact to students. The time being reduced from that position is currently being spent in supervision of after school detention. Schwarz said less need for detention is a good thing, but it does mean reducing the art teacher’s assigned duties/hours.
Art Teacher Mary MacDonald would see her salary reduced by $5,776.
Proposed reductions in the business education program result from a staff retirement and a change of keyboarding curriculum for elementary students. Schwarz said elementary students would learn keyboarding through a Keyboarding without Tears program and through keyboarding incorporated in their overall curriculum. Schwarz said there were no other changes to business programming. She said there would still be Business 8, accounting and graphic design courses for students.
Reducing choir, Schwarz said, will have a direct impact on seven high school students. Choir Instructor Erika Ternes will see a reduction of $6,275.
Schwarz said the proposed reduction in band also would not affect students. She said the proposed changes mean the elimination of advisory time and some unassigned time between band lessons. Schwarz said the proposed band schedule for the next school year more accurately reflects the time spent in band instruction in the 2014-2015 school year.
Band Teacher Kerri Bilben will see a reduction of $7,121.
Bilben was at the meeting and Schwarz asked if she wanted to speak. Bilben did, stating that although on paper it looks as if nothing is happening during those gaps, she does fill her time.
Board Member Terry Collins asked if the time spent in band lessons during those scheduling gaps was assigned to her by the principals or if it is an activity she undertakes on her own initiative to benefit her students.
Bilben answered that she is not directed to spend that time with students, but said, “I do it to make the students better. It is not anything I’ve been directed to do.”
Schwarz said also to be reduced is Spanish, which will mean no advanced Spanish. There will still be Middle School and Spanish I and II. It will result in a reduction of $9,895 for Spanish teacher Carrie Jansen.
Ternes and Jansen are probationary teachers so action can be taken on their positions without opportunity for a hearing.
MacDonald and Bilben have the right to call for an independent hearing on the proposed reductions. Hearings have been tentatively set for June 4 at 1 p.m., but can be cancelled if the school and the teachers, through the Cook County Education Association reach agreement on a solution.
Schwarz said she hoped that a solution could be found, as a hearing would cost the school district approximately $6,000.
The board took no action on any of the teacher reductions as they have until June 18 for choir and Spanish and July 1 to make their final decision on art and band. Community concerns heard
Many community members spoke at the public comment period at the start of the meeting, but left before Schwarz gave the explanation of the unrequested leave proposals.
Community members expressed concern that the teachers will leave if the cuts are made.
Karina Roth, a parent said, “I’m here to encourage you to reconsider cuts to the fine arts programs. I’m sure you’re aware of the value fine arts provide to a developing brain. The benefit of fine arts on student performance is well-documented.”
Roth noted that the school district has skilled and passionate instructors who “connect with our children and help them grow.”
She said any cuts to the fine arts programs bring risk of losing these key staff members. She added that it “sends a sad message that their services are not valued.”
Grand Marais Mayor Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux said he is the father of a 5-year-old who will soon be entering the elementary school system. He urged the school board to consider the legacy that the school wants to create in the community.
Lisa Sorlie, the mother of a 6th and 10th grader said her children are passionate about the school’s fine arts programs and credited the teachers. Sorlie said, “To risk losing that will set the fine arts program—and learning overall—back in ways that we just can’t afford.”
Marsha Zafft, the mother of a soon-to-be graduate, asked the school board to look at the work that Art Teacher Mary MacDonald, along with English teachers, have done with students.
Zafft noted that some of the sports with the highest attendance—cross country running, skiing and track— have volunteer coaches. She said other sports—football, volleyball, basketball— struggle to field a team. Zafft asserted that the school should cut the coaches for those sports to keep the salaried employees, the teachers.
Chet Lindskog, a former county commissioner, said he understands budget problems. But he spoke to the school board as a former bus driver. He said he drove the school bus all over the state for sports and he felt that sports is very important. However, he said music is also important.
He noted that he recently heard the Community Band play at the North Shore Care Center. He said the Care Center residents were not sitting at that event holding a football or a basketball; they were clapping along. He said music is something that stays with you your whole life.
Lindskog said, “Maybe we need to look at our whole program. Maybe we can cut a game here and there to protect the arts.”
Several students spoke on behalf of keeping the fine arts programs intact. Senior Libby Zafft said she recently learned that she is receiving a music scholarship for Winona State University. “I would not have that opportunity if it were not for everything I learned from Mrs. Bilben.”
Student Hannah VanderHeiden gave a plea for band and noted that she was not currently in art or choir, but she wanted the opportunity in the future. She said she enjoyed art with Mrs. MacDonald in elementary school and pulled out an example of something she had made then that is still dear to her.
VanderHeiden said tearfully, “It’s just such a bummer that it has come to this.”
Only one staffer spoke, Erika Ternes, the choir teacher whose hours were set to be reduced without a hearing because she is still under probationary status. Ternes asked the board to reconsider eliminating high school choir, noting what a pleasure it has been to watch her choir students grow. She said a once painfully shy student is now volunteering to sing high notes. Ternes said choir is not the sort of thing that can stop and just start up again. “It would break my heart to see that stop,” she said.
School Board Chair Jeanne Anderson thanked community members and said the board really does appreciate and value hearing from everyone.
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