Facing Cuts, Boardman School District Proposes Levy

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By Rudabeh Shahbazi

Summary

The District expects a million dollars in cuts next year, and educators worry student success could take a back seat to saving money.

Story Published: Feb 21, 2009 at 7:42 PM PST

Facing Cuts, Boardman School District Proposes Levy
BOARDMAN-- The Morrow County School District is asking the public for help, before teachers start losing jobs.

The announcement comes weeks after Riverside High School was nationally recognized as the most improved school in Oregon and as one of the highest achieving academic schools with a low socioeconomic student population.

"We've all worked really really hard on student achievement," said Morrow County School District Superintendent Mark Burrows. "It has been job one. And this school district is just now seeing some success."

The District expects a million dollars in cuts next year, and educators worry student success could take a back seat to saving money. It already had to absorb $250,000 in reductions this year alone, axing travel and new textbooks, and leaving teacher positions open.

Students in the district take mandatory summer school and get extra attention if they don't meet benchmarks, a system Burrows says has been instrumental to their success. That too, is on the chopping block.

Burrows says they are also looking at shortening the school year and teacher access days to save funds, as well as canceling sports, building maintenance and field trips.

"For these kids, that's the only way they're going to be able to travel, is if we take them," said Kathy Simonis, who heads the language arts department at Riverside. "Field trips will go away, enrichment activities will go away-- the opportunity to give them the things that the home can't provide."

Administrators are putting it in the hands of voters to help ease the strain on the education system, with a levy of about $1.5 million over three years, costing property owners $1 per $1,000 of their home value.

"I'm a property owner, I would have to see and increase in my taxes," said social studies teacher Thomas Grimes. "But I also work here. I see what we're doing with these students, and I know we need it."

Riverside senior Cassie Rogelstad, who is an athlete and honor student, also expressed hope for the levy.

"Would you rather the leaders of tomorrow to not be as adequate as they are now, or would you rather have them be better?" said Rogelstad. " If you want them better, pay the money. It's not that much."

Educators are still waiting to hear how much the district will have to reduce, and worrying about how students who don't get structure at home, will cope.