Officials discussed changes that will occur as the Starkville School District completes bond issue construction and faces the coming year with serious budget cuts.
The state and nation”s economic troubles have cut deeply into the district”s funding in recent years. Many are concerned with how district staffing will survive the cuts.
“Nobody lost a job,” Superintendent Judy Couey said of certified staff, which means teachers and administrators who hold a state education certification.
When Couey made this announcement at Tuesday”s board meeting, board member Pickett Wilson added, “and that”s huge.”
However, Couey said after the meeting that teacher assistants, who are non-certified staff, will have to apply for the positions that remain. Close to 50 percent of the positions will be cut because of the budget constraints, and those that remain will be based on highest need.
Plans for administration
Couey also announced administrative staffing at the combined schools that house grades three-five and six-eight. Diane Baker and Tim Bourne will remain principals at The Hill, as the Henderson-Ward-Stewart complex is known, and Lynn Shea will move from principal at Overstreet to a dual role with Joseph Stone at Armstrong Middle School.
“Joe Stone will be the principal, and Shea will serve as academic director. We are keeping the two assistant principals,” Couey said.
The high school and Sudduth Elementary will keep maintain their same administrative structures.
The Quad County Alternative School will move from rented space in the industrial park to the Overstreet building once some retrofits are complete. Family Centered Programs will remain at Emerson, although the plan at one time was to move these programs to Overstreet.
When third grade moves to The Hill, they will no longer use the Success For All reading program, but will shift into the reading programs already in place for fourth and fifth grades. Assistant Superintendent Beth Sewell said the reading program is being reviewed and revamped to see that it is effective for all students.
School structure
Couey then explained how the district structured its schools for the most advantage under the state”s accountability system. State testing begins in third grade, but schools must show growth from one year to the next. The district structured their schools as grades three-four, five, six-eight and nine-12, making four schools that are used to calculate the district”s accountability rating.
“Previously, we had just three. If any of these three bobbled, then you definitely could be in trouble with accountability,” Couey said. “Many districts are making changes in structure for accountability.”
Assistant Superintendent Walter Gonsoulin has developed a plan for the various building moves. On May 24, Quad will move to Overstreet, and on May 26, Rosa Stewart will move into the Henderson gym. On June 7, Overstreet will move to Rosa Stewart and sixth grade will move to Armstrong on June 22. Ward-Stewart will be occupied on June 28, and the Henderson building should be occupied sometime before the July 31 construction deadline.
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