News
Waitsburg Schools to See Faculty Reduction
Due to declining enrollment and reduced funding from the state, the Waitsburg School Board has agreed to reduce teaching staff in the Waitsburg schools by 2 ½ full time equivalent (FTE) positions. According to Superintendent Carol Clarke, the School District's budget next year will be reduced by just under $250,000.
The School Board's action eliminates the middle school principal position. Due to a higher need for special education instruction in the middle school, the current principal, Dr. Ben Christensen, has agreed to become the special education specialist there. This move will reduce the need for para-educational positions in the middle school by two half-time positions.
The superintendent and the high school principal will jointly oversee the middle school. An additional high school teaching position is being cut and a language arts specialist position is being reduced from full-time to half-time. The teachers in these positions have been notified of the changes.
Clarke says that enrollment in the Waitsburg schools dropped from 334 at the beginning of this school year to 318 currently. In addition, only 15 students are expected to enter first grade next year, while Waitsburg High School is graduating 26 seniors.
Other activities at the school are being reviewed for possible reductions, but Clarke hopes that most athletic and other extra-curricular activities can remain in place.