Teachers, parents address concerns with school board about proposed one-year consolidation of LRHS and RGS

A large number of parents and teachers from the Ritzville School District attended the Lind and Ritzville School Board meeting on Oct. 23 to discuss the consideration of moving the high school students into the grade school building during the LRHS remodel next year.

The Ritzville School Board hosted a forum for educators in the local district on Oct. 17 to discuss the options for consolidation next year. At the meeting, they announced the proposal to relocate the high school students into a wing of the grade school for the 2018-19 school year.

The announcement at the Tuesday special meeting resulted in multiple individuals requesting an opportunity to speak during Monday’s school board meeting. Ritzville School Board Chairman Marci Miller reminded those in attendance that the school board members are in a listening phase, and would not respond to questions during the public forum on Monday.

Annie Trunkle-Smart, counselor at the schools, spoke first and stated she did not believe the decision was made in the spirit of the cooperative. As a previous Lind School Board member for 16 years, Trunkle-Smart stated she believes school staff and administration from all involved schools should have been consulted prior to the school board’s decision for consolidation.

Trunkle-Smart referenced the previous meeting, explaining it had been stated it was cost prohibitive to move the LRHS students to the Lind School District for the year. She added she would like to see the financial proof supporting that statement.

One main concern is the lack of a science lab for high school students to utilize, if they were moved into RGS. As school counselor, she explained students must have classes in an accredited lab, and could potentially limit students from reaching their graduation requirements if a lab was unavailable.

Trunkle-Smart’s final questions included wanting to know where LRHS offices would be located, how special education students would still receive privacy and where the counselor would be operating from.

Terrie Schwartz, K-4 music teacher and tech instructor at RGS, spoke about the potential loss of class that are important to a student’s overall learning. With the reduced space if the two schools were combined, there would be limited access to the computer lab and students who previously had one-on-one help may not have those same opportunities in the upcoming year.

Teacher Diane Leffel stated as a school district, they need to do what is in the best interest of the students. She added the principals from the schools should have been consulted prior to the school board’s decision to present the proposal.

Leffel said she is concerned about all students suffering from the consolidation, and not just the specialty classes that require more materials like science, drama and home economics. The proposal included housing instructional spaces in the RGS gym, which would result in the loss of performances during the next year, she added.

Another main concern is the lack of privacy and confidentiality for special education students, she said. There would also be an increase cost in transportation with having to bus the younger students to Gilson Gym for PE.

Leffel stated she believed the change would result in a loss of class time and a drop in test scores for students. She also addressed potential issues like overcrowding, lack of technology access and community use of the facilities.

RGS Teacher Jennifer Boness also addressed concerns as a teacher and a parent, stating it is imperative for students to be at the forefront of this type of decision. The district’s responsibility is to provide the best learning environment possible, and this would hinder their goals.

Boness said students should not have to loss a year of instruction because of poor planning. The restrictions the consolidation would make could be detrimental to student learning and a step backwards, she stated.

Kent Ziemer spoke briefly as a parent, asking the school board to listen to the advice of the staff and adding the move of LRHS is not overly difficult, but it does require listening and considering a variety of options.

RGS Teacher Kim Weishaar said next year’s RGS students are expected to fill nine classrooms without the addition of Title One instructional space or tech lab. She stated RGS would be limited to 10 rooms, which is not adequate space for the needs of the students.

Weishaar plead with the school board to explore other options, and stated the current proposal will have a negative impact on all students involved with the consolidation.

Lynn Greenwalt said the best plan would be not to disrupt the everyday learning environment of the students. As a paraprofessional, Greenwalt said her concerns are primarily about the needs of the special education students, as well as overcrowding and the lack of safety during an emergency.

Janna Gingrich said as a parent, she wants to ensure every student is getting the opportunity to succeed and is not being restricted by something that is out of their control. She stated no one likes to travel, but no matter what someone will be put out, and the school board should consider the use of Lind school facilities.

She stated it is important that the districts band together and focus on what is best for the kids

Kendrain Summers spoke as a parent and an educator, her major concern is the lack of notification regarding the initial meeting and what will happen to programs like Title One and music.

LRHS students also need to receive full credit and opportunities for their classes, Summers added.

Near the end of the meeting, Architects West’s Ed Champagne discussed the progress regarding the remodel of the high school building. Champagne said they would present the initial construction design concept on Oct. 24 and begin to move forward with the project.

Champagne said construction, especially school remodels, are a pain to get through. He added the district considered phasing the project, but it would affect the school’s timeline for the year, as well as create disruptions in the learning environment.

He explained phasing projects are not a good learning environment for students, and it extends the project timeline nearly an additional year.

It would result in the loss of school days and there would be additional negative impacts that come with using a building during construction.

Included in the bond proposal is some money for the relocation of LRHS students, Champagne explained, and he stated the best option is to move the students out of the school for the year.