Board Members Opinions Differ on Last day of School
I tend to think most of the teachers will spend a good chunk of time in the summer working on classroom plans and curriculum. It is one day. If we can entrust them with our students every day of the week, then we can entrust them to make up the hours in the summer months.”
Board Member Morgan Kontz
By Kayla Charles
Moody County Enterprise
The 2023-24 school year is winding down at Flandreau Public School. During the school board meeting on April 8 board members voted to have the last day of school stay on Wednesday, May 15th.
Superintendent Rick Weber made the recommendation to the board that the last day of school remain the same. Weber stated there was a home track meet beginning at 1pm on Thursday making it difficult for the students and teachers involved to remain in school that day. Weber also stated most teachers will still probably work Thursday but would still like to see the day remain the 15th.
When discussion on the topic opened for board members President Tom Stenger presented the board with the idea of the students being done on May 15 and the teachers/staff work until May 16 at 1:30pm to make up for the second snow day that occurred in March.
Board Member Morgan Kontz immediately responded that she disagreed. She went on to say, “I tend to think most of the teachers will spend a good chunk of time in the summer working on classroom plans and curriculum. It is one day. If we can entrust them with our students every day of the week, then we can entrust them to make up the hours in the summer months.”
Board member Dustin Headrick stated he agreed with Kontz’s statement.
More discussion occurred over the ongoing training teachers have been required to complete throughout the school year. The last day of school was then brought to vote for it to remain on May 15, with all members voting aye excluding board president Tom Stenger who voted nay.
Another big topic of discussion was increasing class sizes. As mentioned in last month’s story the FPS is currently facing a deficit of $132,000 after the state’s 4% salary increase. Weber had suggested in March that the district could make up the deficit by not filling positions of teachers retiring or resigning from the district. By not filling these positions class sizes would need to increase in some grades.
During open forum Susan Damm, a Title teacher and grandparent within the district, shared her concerns about Weber’s suggested plan. Damm referred to studies that show increased class sizes can also increase disruptions within the class, which allows for less teaching time. She also noted that the added stress to the teachers within the grades facing larger classes could lead to teachers leaving the district as well.
The board approved the 4th and 7th grades teachers will be reduced to two sections for the 2024-25 school year. The class sections will now be two sections of 24-4th graders and two sections of 20-7th graders.
Other items approved were Stanga Construction to remodel the FACS (Family & Consumer Sciences) kitchen. Stanga Construction came in with the lowest bid and will begin construction on May 20 to be completed before the start of the 24-25 school year.
Brian Johnson was appointed to fill the vacant board position for a one-year term. The resignations of Rodrigo Barrietos, Elementary Para/Interpreter, effective immediately and Donald Schroeder, Middle School teacher effective April 15 with a $3,000 late resignation fee, were approved.
