7-10-08

Walpole School to Lose Three Teachers

By Chuck Bingaman, Contributing Writer

            SAU60 Superintendent Debra Livingston confirmed yesterday that, because of anticipated expense increases in the 2008-2009 school year, she has eliminated three teaching positions originally planned for Walpole School.

            The cuts, announced earlier this week, involve the transferring of a reading teacher for the 7th- 8th grade level to become a second grade teacher at the school (and eliminating the reading program), not replacing a Skills Center instructor who is moving to Fall Mountain High School, and not hiring a third 6th grade teacher as previously planned and budgeted.

The Skills Center teacher, said Livingston, has been based at the Walpole School, but she as served students throughout the district.  Hence, her moving to the high school, where more of her services will be focused, is not a loss for the district.

The reading teacher, Mary Aumand of North Walpole, has been teaching in the district for 19 years.  She said Thursday “the most important thing for me and the staff is the elimination of the reading program. We’re the only school in the district with it. We developed it internally ten years ago when I was teaching fifth grade.”

Aumand continued, “We started the program from scratch, and it touches all 7th and 8th grade students, not just those with reading difficulties. Has it had impact? Absolutely! Walpole School NECAP (New England Common Assessment Program) scores in reading and writing are the highest in the district and generally higher than statewide averages. Eliminating the program will be a real blow to the children. And to their achievement.”

         Each of these moves, said Superintendent Livingston, was based on a June projection by retiring Business Manager Steve Varonne that, because of spiking fuel prices, the district would face a $250,000 to $300,000 deficit next year. 

         “These are the kinds of tough decisions schools across New Hampshire and the nation are facing,” noted Livingston yesterday.  “They are not made lightly!”

          Livingston added that the district is facing a decreasing number of students each year, perhaps as many as 40-50 fewer next year than last.  She also said that her staffing decisions are based on looking at class loads district wide, not only in Walpole, although the changes announced this week impact Walpole most directly. 

            Eighth grade science teacher Kim Lewis of Walpole School said that, while she agrees that changes are necessary in light of the projected fuel costs, she is disappointed that the administrators did not consult with teachers about alternate savings opportunities before making the decisions.  Lewis noted that many approaches might be studied including reducing bus services to middle school students, particularly for sports activities, lowering school temperatures in winter to 62 degrees, and possibly limiting middle school athletics to inter-murals.

           When asked if she would consider meeting with teachers to explore alternatives to eliminating teaching positions, Superintendent Livingston said she had, “no comment at this time but maybe later.”  Livingston also said that student and teacher numbers are in flux in the summer and that she might have teacher resignations and changing student numbers to factor into her final plan for the school year in a month or so.

            The next School Board meeting is July 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the high school.

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