Groups urge board to avoid certain cuts

According to Superintendent Nordy Nelson, the district's fund balances can no longer sustain all of its offerings and activities. In November, he provided board members with a list of options to consider which could save the district about $717,800.

Nelson stressed items on the list, including staff reductions and eliminating two non-revenue athletic teams, were only options and didn’t need to happen all at once. Still, the cuts would enable the district to avoid dipping into its about $3.8 million in reserve funds.

Falls High School principal Tim Everson Monday emphasized the need for clear short- and long- term goals to influence the district's future in a positive way.

“In order to consider the proposed reductions, we must know where we want to be by the end of next year and where we would like to be five years from now,” he said. “Once we have our goals, we need to look at how we can move toward these goals and consider what changes will be needed.”

Everson said while it is important to be fiscally responsible and avoid spending more than can be afforded, it is likely a few extra dollars will need to be spent now to improve the fiscal position of the district in the future.

“An example would be making changes and/or additions to our current course and section numbers which could come with additional cost,” he said. “This would be done with the hope of retaining more students in the future and helping our financial picture.”

Falls and West End Elementary principal Melissa Tate said the district should focus on investing in young grades to ensure future success of students. One area in particular need of restructuring, she said, is the district's preschool program.

The Falls district is “not very competitive” with similar programs in neighboring districts, Tate said.

Indus offers free, all-day preschool and Littlefork-Big Falls also offers an all-day program for $500. However, if preschool students go on to attend kindergarten at L-BF, the amount is fully refunded.

In the Falls, 4-year-old students attend preschool for two and a half hours a day at a cost of $1,440 annually with no reimbursements. The cost is slightly less for 3-year-old preschool sections.

Tate suggested the district add a section of preschool and lower the cost of the program to make it more attractive to preschool families.

“Preschool is a feeder program,” she said. “I believe once students have had a positive experience in preschool, they're likely to stay beyond...Student achievement will increase by investing early.”

Other presenters

• Community Education: Nelson in November said moving the Community Ed office from the east end of Falls High School near the main offices of the building would allow the department to eliminate a secretarial position for a cost savings of about $35,000.

Josie Toninato read a letter from Community Education Director Rachel Amdahl, which suggested the board reconsider the proposal.

“This does not seem worth disrupting Community Ed if it is about the savings,” Toninato read. “We have a large population of senior citizens who use the pool and find our office very convenient to purchase their pool passes. If we were to move the office, we are doing a disservice to our taxpaying community customers who are going to be disgruntled.”

In addition, the letter said Community Education generates about $120,000 in revenue each year and eliminating the secretary position would leave several duties left undone and do a “huge injustice to the Community Ed department.”

• Transportation: Transportation Director Jeff Veeder said adding door-to-door bus service, instead of several regional stops, for all district students to and from school is a good idea, but could come with a cost.

“It's not an easy situation to pull off, but it's something we need to do to compete with our neighboring districts,” Veeder said. 

On the downside, Veeder said the district wouldn't be reimbursed for added miles traveled for certain students.

“The time has come to change our ways,” he said. “I think we can pull it off with minimal cost...we'll be adding two routes.”

Veeder also asked board members to replace a bus, which could have a price tag of about $100,000.

“I know on an evening when you're discussing cuts, it's a hard one to swallow,” he said. “I believe it is a step for the future of the viability of our transportation department.”

• K-2 teachers: Nelson's original cost adjustment proposal said staff reductions at both the elementary and secondary level could save – on the steep side – about $370,000. All the kindergarten, first, and second grade teachers Monday urged board members to keep four sections of each of the three grades.

“We do not believe it is an option that is in the best interests of students or staff,” Mary Kay Hardwig, kindergarten teacher, said of reducing K-2 sections. “Last year, kindergarten sections were as many as 28 students. This year, due to the generous addition of the fourth section, the kindergarten sections are between 16 and 19 students.”

Hardwig said smaller classes sizes are beneficial to saving the district money in the long run.

“Several parents have expressed concerns in class sizes next year and have stated they'll leave the district if (an increase) happens,” Hardwig said. “Increasing class sizes would only decrease the trust parents have in our district.”

Lisa Auran, first-grade teacher, said young learners need extra one-on-one attention that can be given in a class of a smaller size.

“People need time to talk, play and explore,” she said. “They also need a sense of belonging...With less students, we have less discipline problems.”

• Local 4798: Nelson previously said if assignments of educational support professionals are reconfigured, the district could save $125,000. Janet Underdahl, president of the educational support professionals union told board members there are 48 para professionals employed with the district.

“Every para's job is different,” she said, adding students, teachers and parents depend on para professionals to ensure students are successful and safe when attending school.

• English as a second language (ELL/ESL): The superintendent said in November only one hour of ELL taught by Rosa Christianson is offered and he doesn't see a need for the $8,600 spent on it. Christianson said the program helps students become proficient and succeed in the mainstream classroom. 

She added the program is self-funded and receives $14,000 from the state. Also, because the Falls' ELL program has eight students,  it is required by the state if a district enrolls one or more English learners, there must be a specialized English learning educational program in place.

• Special education: Shawn Johnson, special education teacher, said para professional support is “vital to her job.”

“Without their support, my job would be very difficult to manage,” she said.

• Local 510: Local 510 president Josie Toninato said the secretary and custodian union is requesting an incentive package for early retirement be offered to union members without reopening negotiations on the contract.

“This can be accomplished with a memorandum of understanding,” she said. “There are a number of members who would be interested in at least looking at any offerings.”

Toninato, who also serves as the Falls Elementary secretary, asked board members to consider increasing the number of months she works from 10 to 11 to allow for more time to complete tasks and projects.

Board Chairman Gordy Dault said the board appreciated the presentations, and presenters were looking out for the best interests of the district's students. 

The board is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. Feb. 12, during which an open forum of discussion will be held among board members and the public. 

"It'll be a chance to generate discussion," Nelson said.