Teachers and Staff Face Tough Decisions in 2008

Figuring out what career path to take once high school is over can be a difficult decision. For some people it’s a piece of cake--they know exactly what they want to do when they get out of high school--but for others, selecting a career can be very hard. They first have to decide what career field they would like to endure and how long they’re willing to go to school for. Whether they are going to school for 2 years, 4 years, or 12 years, it is something they are doing so that they can be specialized in a specific job area. Students going to college for a degree look forward to having a job when they are done with schooling. What they don’t realize, however, is that it might still be hard to get the job they want. Also, if they’re teachers for example, they may have the burden of possibly being laid off later down the road. This is the case for many teachers in the St. Francis School District.

In the fall of 2007, the referendum for more funding in the district did not pass. Because of this, Independent School District 15 had to make a 1.9 million dollar reduction for the school year of 2008-2009. Because tax payers are not willing to pay more taxes, the district has to cut budgets. This means fewer teachers, smaller classroom sizes, and less programs. Currently 4th grade is located at the Sandhill Center because the 4th grade portables were shut down in October, and later removed due to mold. For the school year of 2008-2009, however, 4th grade will be back in SFE, and they will be moving 5th grade to the middle school to save on time, transportation, and mileage. 1st grade classes are being reduced by two sections, and 2nd grade and 4th grade by one section. Specialists for Physical Education, music, art, and enrichment are being reduced from one point five teachers, to one teacher. Next year they will no longer have a media teacher for the media center, and their six noon aides will be reduced to five. Throughout this overwhelming time nobody has really focused on the thoughts and feelings of the teachers and staff. How are they dealing with this? What are their plans for next year?

Mrs. Miller always knew she wanted to be a teacher, “It sounds corny but I feel destined to do it. I jump out of bed to get here in the morning and I hate leaving at night. Both of my parents are teachers and it seems to run in the blood to be a teacher. I remember being excited when I found out that in ancient cultures the children followed what the parents did. Even then I knew I wanted to teach.”

She earned her teaching degree at Bemidji State University and has been teaching and subbing for a total of four years now. Mrs. Miller teaches the 4th grade and was cut this year because there will not be as many 4th graders in 2008-2009. She and a few other 4th grade teachers found out about the cut in a conference with Principal Kathy Kohnen. When I asked Mrs. Miller if she was prepared for the news she said, “No, it came out of left field. I figured it would happen next year with the major cuts that might be coming but I had no idea it would happen this year.” She said the weekend before the conference her mother had even asked her if she was worried about the cuts, and she told her mom that she had nothing to worry about.

“It is a horrible feeling being cut and not having a say in it but I know it isn’t because of my performance but because there just isn’t enough money or students.”

Although being cut had nothing to do with her personally, she still has to deal with it on a personal level. “My husband and I were thinking about buying a house and settling down but now we will be moving to wherever I get a job and basically starting over. I will miss my fellow teachers as we have become good friends in this short time.” She also worries about getting a new job and finding a new place to live.

As for the other teachers’ reactions to the cuts, Mrs. Miller says, “The mood is pretty somber at school. We have kid of gotten over the shock and are now starting to look around but it is still rather depressing.”

It’s a very tough time for many of the teachers and staff who now have to figure out what they will do for a job next year. It’s very stressful because many of those people went to college to be sure something like this wouldn’t happen to them, and they are now facing many tough decisions. The teachers now have to try to find another teaching position elsewhere, which could cause them to have to relocate or find other ways to commute to work.

Though many drastic changes are going to take place next school year, it is important that the school is continuing to focus on the needs of the students. Kathleen Kohnen, Principal of SFE says, “While this is financially a difficult time, we will strive to deliver the best instruction possible for our children.”

It is clear that this is a tough time for everyone in the district, but there is no doubt that the school and community will keep on doing what is best for the students.

Cite Sources: Kohnen, Kathleen. "March Newsletter." Stfrancis.K12.Mn.Us. 14 Mar. 2008. 23 Apr. 2008. Kohnen, Kathleen. "On a Serious Note." Stfrancis.K12.Mn.Us. 08 Feb. 2008. 23 Apr. 2008.