The South Koochiching-Rainy River School Board last week discussed whether classes with low enrollment should continued to be offered.
No official action was taken on the item at the board’s regular meeting last week. Independent School District 363, which represents the Indus and Northome schools, offers classes in music, industrial technology and science, which currently have “low enrollment” for next school year, according to South Koochiching-Rainy River Superintendent Jerry Struss.
“Right now, there is one student per class enrolled (for next school year),” Struss told The Journal. “Things can definitely change by the fall. There’s always movement of kids from class to class.”
Struss had recommended to the board to reduce the music teaching position by one hour per day, and the board also discussed doing the same with industrial technology and science classes.
“We discussed it, due to low enrollment and financial issues — but mainly because of low enrollment,” Struss said.
However, none of the school board members made a motion or second to approve or deny the proposal, so no vote was taken.
Struss added that staff or program reductions are usually on the agenda in April each year, in case cuts need to be made. Reductions, by law, come with a “tight time frame” to meet a state deadline, so having it on the agenda in April is a routine practice at the district, he said.
In other meeting business, the board approved the resignation and retirement of Diane Bennett, Northome business teacher, and Bernie Elhard, Northome fifth-grade teacher. Bennett has worked for the district for 32 years, and Elhard has taught for 21 years.
The board also approved the resignation of Indus math teacher, Laura Dahl.
Shane Swang, who currently teaches sixth grade at Indus, will fill the Northome position made vacant by Elhard’s retirement next school year.
“We’ll be shifting staff around,” Struss said, adding that there will be an elementary teaching position open at Indus for next school year after the shuffling takes place.
