The anatomy of a school closure

The Independence school board took their seats in Independence Middle School's cafeteria Wednesday night, facing a crowd of about 100 teachers, parents, and students.

The agenda was brief, with only two items of new business to discuss: approving fund raising requests and budget reductions for the 2010-11 school year.

District administrators posted a list of proposed cuts on the district Website earlier this month. It included reducing staff, cutting programs and closing East Elementary School. Closing East would result in a shuffle of students, with East students transferring to West Elementary School. The middle school would transform into a third through sixth grade building, and seventh and eighth grade students would move to the high school.  

The district is expected to have a negative fund balance of $1.5 million dollars at the end of the 2009-10 school year. At the same time, the district's spending authority could decrease from $1.6 million to $1.3 million.

The more a district's spending authority decreases, the more likely state education officials are to come in and take over a district -- and possibly close it.

It was the possibility of closing East that garnered to most public outcry. Parents worried their middle school students were too young to attend the high school. Others questioned if the building would be sufficient for that many students. The school board had two public hearings in which patrons voiced their concerns and offered alternatives.

Board members were set to vote on the issue Monday night, but inclimate weather canceled the meeting. Two days later, the board was ready to vote.

Board President Dawnye Sturtz called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. She reminded the audience that they could address the board if they fill out an audience participation request before the board makes a motion on agenda items. Trish O'Loughlin, an industrial technology teacher at the high school, said she was leery about the cuts when she first read the proposal, but has come to understand the need. Likening the district to a family, she said families downsize when money is tight – and the district needs to do the same.

“I hope we don't have an emotional attachment to a building,” O'Loughlin said. “I hope we do have an emotional attachment to the kids.”

The board entered a motion to approve the budget reductions for the 2010-11 school year around 7:15 p.m. The board discussed the issue for more than an hour before making a decision. The following are the comments I shared on twitter (@mhdochterman) throughout the meeting:

--  Three of five school board members are ready to vote to close East. Other two want to delay decision two weeks. about 16 hours ago from web

--  The other three board members don't want to drag the decision out another two weeks. Audience, about 100 people, told time to comment over. about 15 hours ago from web

--  Sounds like three of 5 board members want to make the decision now so the district can begin the healing process and move forward. about 15 hours ago from web

--  School principals tell board members they rather get it done now rather than put it off or drag it out two more years. about 15 hours ago from web

--  District Director of Business Affairs Charmaine Wickwire: We're backed against the wall right now. We have to do this, about 15 hours ago from web

--  Wickwire said district will be viable because it is willing to make changes. Says other districts in the area in same situation. about 15 hours ago from web

--  Wickwire: We're not trying to scare people. We're trying to do the right thing. about 15 hours ago from web

--  Board member Kathryn Jensen said she is in favor of closing a school over losing programming. about 15 hours ago from web

--  Board president asks board members if they are interested in pursuing other options -- reducing staff and cutting programs. They say no. about 15 hours ago from web

--  Board member John Christensen says he is OK with all proposed cuts except East closing. He wants to wait for two weeks. "Two weeks is not going to hurt anybody." about 15 hours ago from web

--  Jensen says board needs to not drag emotional issue out further. about 15 hours ago from web

--  Audience getting antsy ... about 15 hours ago from web

--  School Board President Dawnye Sturtz says last year's budget reductions were dragged out and said people have asked her not to do that again this year. about 15 hours ago from web

--  Superintendent Devin Embray said discussion of last year's budget cuts lasted about two months. about 15 hours ago from web

--  Embray said he doesn't want to drag out decision, but says he doesn't see harm in delaying decision for two weeks. about 15 hours ago from web

--  Board president Sturtz said her concern is what's really going to change in two weeks. Says she wishes there were miracles. about 15 hours ago from web

--  Sturtz: I can see that people would like to have time to come up with something, but I just don't see what you can come up with. about 15 hours ago from web

--  Board made motion to approve cuts more than one hour ago ... about 15 hours ago from web

--  Motion carries 3 to 2 to approve cuts. East Elementary closing. about 15 hours ago from web

There was little reaction from the audience once the vote was made. Sturtz, Jensen and Charlie McCardle voted in favor of the budget reductions. Christensen and Stacy Henderson voted against it. Sturtz reiterated that the decision was difficult and asked the audience to remember that the decision ultimately is the board's to make – not the administration. She encouraged the audience to attend more meetings and weigh in on issues before the board has to make a controversial decision.

“Unfortunately, there were no miracles,” Sturtz said.