School Board urged not to move sixth graders to middle school

Keep the sixth graders in the elementary school.

Although no straw vote was taken, that appeared to be the majority view of the approximately 60 parents and teachers who told the the Orcas Island School Board, Nov. 20 that they opposed moving sixth graders into the elementary school.

“What’s the hurry (of moving kids from the elementary to middle school)?” asked high school Spanish teacher Eric Simmons, summing up the opinion of those who sat at one of seven tables where groups of about eight people each argued the pros and cons of reconfiguring the middle school, which currently is limited to seventh and eighth graders. A representative from each table reported on the opinions expressed by each group.

Orcas Island Prevention Partnership Director Moriah Armstrong, speaking for another table, said the social consequences could be serious. “There will be too much pressure on them to grow up,” she said. “They’re not ready for the social changes,” Armstrong continued, suggesting the kids could find themselves in an environment where drugs and alcoholic beverages are readily available.

But some support was expressed for moving sixth graders into the middle school. High school teacher Suzanne McFarland-Price said the people at her table favored the change because “It would prepare the sixth graders better for the WASL (Washington Assessment of Student Learning Standardized Test).” McFarland-Price added that such an arrangement would be easy to implement, as there are now many middle school curricula available that serve grades 6-8.

While parents of next year’s sixth graders are especially concerned about a possible change, local elementary and middle school teachers are also holding their breath, and not just for philosophical reasons. If sixth graders remain in the elementary school, the middle school teaching staff would drop from four to three, Superintendent Barry Acker said. But if the sixth graders are moved to the middle school, the elementary school teaching staff could drop from 10 to eight, according to school Business Manager Betty Kaiser.

Concern about job security may explain why large numbers of elementary and middle school teachers were at the meeting, but few were there from the high school, where staff cuts are unlikely, Acker said.

Enrollment in a grade 7-8 middle school is projected to drop from 85 to 60 next academic year, but a 6-7-8 middle school would have 92 students if current projections are maintained.

As for a K-6 elementary school, it would drop from 195 to 190. But a K-5 elementary school would tumble all the way down to 158.

High school enrollment is expected to remain at around 200 unless ninth graders are put back into the middle school. Some sentiment was expressed for such a move. One who made this recommendation was school

Psychologist Janice Wiemeyer, who said “Ninth graders face difficult choices riding in cars and dealing with older kids.” But Acker said it would create a whole new set of problems, and he indicated it was highly unlikely that the school board would give it serious consideration.

One thing is clear. High school and middle school Principal Barbara Kline is urging the board to resolve this matter as quickly as possible so she and her teachers can begin planning for next year. Earlier, Kline told the board that planning needed to begin this fall, not at the last moment.

The board seemed ready to oblige. The matter was discussed at the Nov. 26 school board meeting, which took place after The Sounder went to press.

Here were two other configurations that were proposed:

1) A K-7 elementary school, and a grade 8-12 high school.

2) A K-4 elementary school, a 5-8 intermediate school, and a 9-12 high school.

Suggestions on how to save the district some money

Given the declining enrollment and a state budget deficit totalling more than $2 billion, islanders were also asked to suggest ways to save the district money or generate additional dollars.

Here were some of the ideas presented:

1) Hire a full-time grant writer.

2) Cut administration.

3) Go to a four day school week.

4) Close Buck Park.

5) Reduce school bus routes.

The shape of the middle school next year won’t affect the budget one way or the other, Acker said.

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