A list of cuts for the International Falls School Board to consider was reduced Monday following some good news for the district.
According to Superintendent Nordy Nelson, about 25-30 secondary students will remain at the Falls High School campus next year instead of enrolling in classes at Rainy River Community College through the Post Secondary Enrollment Option, or PSEO, program.
“That's in the ballpark of around $180,000 in savings,” he said.
The superintendent in November began addressing the district's overspending by creating a list containing areas of reduction for board members to consider due to a declining student enrollment.
Originally, a goal of saving the district $500,000 was set, however, more students than expected sought education elsewhere forcing a revised goal of $630,000.
In February, the board agreed to offer early retirement to five staff members for a total savings of $430,000. In addition, another $50,000 was saved by eliminating a library media position for a remaining balance of $150,000.
“Basically you've made up the $150,000 as far as looking at further reductions,” Nelson said Monday of Falls High keeping PSEO students. “Those numbers of students staying will create that revenue of approximately $180,000.”
Retaining so many students could be thanks to an effort by school officials to offer concurrent enrollment classes at Falls High next year. The classes would be worth both college and high school credits.
"We will offer over 70 concurrent enrollment credits next year," said FHS Principal Tim Everson, who was recognized Monday by the board for his efforts in establishing the college-in-the-high-school classes. "It's going to be worth it."
As a result of the savings, board members agreed to:
Keep the yearbook as an in-house class instead of contracting the publication out elsewhere. Projected savings was $8,600.
Keep the half-time secretary position in the Community Education office, which will stay in its location at the east end of Falls High School. Projected savings was $18,000.
Keep remedial seventh and eighth classes. Projected savings was $42,000.
The board agreed - for now - on the non-renewal of Alex Ringhofer's contract, which was also on the reduction list.
"Through registration, it shows only a need for two hours of her time," Nelson said of Ringhofer, who teaches secondary math. "At this time, we need to non-renew the entire position and hire her back at a later date."
The superintendent said situations may change where Ringhofer is needed for more time, but for now, the district will save $43,214 by not renewing her contract.
In addition, board members on a 5-1 vote agreed to table action on delaying the phy-ed/health curriculum cycle one year. Board Chairman Gordy Dault voted against the motion.
Each year an allotted amount of money is set aside for the curriculum cycle to update equipment and supplies in different subject areas.
“This is a one year delay, but it would also delay all the other subject areas,” Nelson said. “It's basically just to buy the district some time and see what happens with student enrollment.”
On the same note, the superintendent told board members it doesn't mean they can't expend a “few dollars” to prioritize what is needed within the program.
Delaying the curriculum cycle could save the district $75,000, however, phy-ed teacher Josh Koenig urged the board to reconsider.
“Our health books are falling apart,” he said. “In ninth grade, we have class sizes of 35 kids and 25 books. It becomes very difficult to utilize the information out of there.”
Koenig continued other departments have used curriculum cycle money to gain access to technology that could eliminate the use of textbooks.
In addition, Koenig said in the nine years he's been in the district, weight lifting and fitness classes have gone from two sections to zero.
“I think part of the reason is the way kids do fitness now has changed,” he said. “If you walk into our weight room, it has weights in it. That's not conducive for all of our students to do fitness-type activities.”
Still, Nelson expressed concern the amount of money set aside for Koenig's department might be a too spendy.
“The full $75,000 is quite a sum to address when we don't know where student numbers are,” he said.
Board member Darrell “Boxer” Wagner said the board should look at taking any action in June to see how much money it would need to spend on the phy-ed/health program for the 2014-2015 school year.
Other business
In other action Monday, the board:
- Adopted resolutions granting tenure to to Heather Ebel, Terry Mason, Beth Shermoen and Katie Winkel.
- Accepted the resignation of Nick Schoenecker as a secondary social studies teacher effective May 30.
- Accepted the resignation of Carol Jaksa as National Honor Society advisor effective May 30.
- Accepted the resignation due to retirement of Pam Jenson as head cook effective May 30.
- Accepted the resignation due to retirement of Bernadine Reierson as assistant cook effective May 30.
- Accepted the resignation due to retirement of June Henrickson as cafeteria helper effective May 29.
