Issues include the hiring of a new transportation director
By:Vanessa S. Holt
FLORENCE – The Board of Education and superintendent agree there should be six sections in the second grade in the upcoming school year, but remain divided on several other issues affecting the district, including the hiring of a new transportation director.
Last week, Superintendent Ernest Brattstrom submitted his recommendations on administrative reorganization and the hiring of new staff to the board.
While Board President Charles Martine said the suggestions had merit, he added the superintendent had provided "options with no cost analysis," and he offered three recommendations in response to Mr. Brattstrom’s suggestions.
Mr. Martine urged the board to add a second-grade teacher by transferring a kindergarten teacher to that position. That would give the school district six second-grade teachers for the upcoming school year, he said, and five kindergarten teachers. He said they could look at the possibility of replacing the kindergarten teacher if enrollment increases.
Mr. Brattstrom had recommended hiring a new teacher for the second grade, rather than moving a teacher from another grade level to that position.
Mr. Martine also asked for a motion to reject the superintendent’s recommendation they not replace the district’s transportation director, Lonney Brown, who recently retired. Mr. Martine recommended the board hire a new person for that position.
Finally, he asked Mr. Brattstrom to give specific recommendations for the hiring of additional staff members, and how to fund them.
Many board members said they were confused by the superintendent’s suggestions as submitted in his report.
"I expected a concise list with viable alternatives," said School Board Vice President Jamie Fauver of the recommendations. "There were a lot of different ideas."
Mr. Brattstrom responded, "They’re under no obligation to accept my recommendations. I would like to discuss it in the open. The goal is what’s in the best interest of the kids."
Mr. Martine, who expressed regret the discussion was being held publicly, told the superintendent "Your analysis of not hiring a transportation director is flawed." He described the board’s reaction to the report as one of embarrassment.
"There’s not enough time in the day to discuss it," Mr. Martine said. "We wanted specifics, with what you want, and how to fund it. We need definitive alternatives to select from."
Other staffing issues under consideration by the Board include hiring an additional sixth grade teacher, a teacher in the Children’s Learning Center program, and a teacher’s aide. Hiring a principal for the middle school also was under consideration, as was creating a self-contained sixth grade, separate from the upper classes.
"We all agree we need a second- grade teacher," said Mr. Martine. "Hiring additional staff was a question of money. We need to find funds."
Board member Newell Kehr said the report "resembled nothing that the board had asked for," citing their request for flowcharts with a cost analysis, representing three different scenarios.
"We wanted people in the flowchart, not just the position," said Mr. Kehr.