Rock Ridge delays final decision on 15 staff cuts

This story was originally published by Iron Range Today.

VIRGINIA — Rock Ridge tabled a vote Monday, March 24, that would shed 15 staff members from its budget, setting up next week’s deadline as an ultimatum on where the district will begin covering $2.5 million in adjustments.

Directors accepted the resignation of four staff members, but declined to approved a memorandum of understanding that would have allowed employees under the principal level contracts to retire or resign with the same $10,000 incentive.

Twenty people spoke to the board for more than an hour Monday, mostly in opposition of proposed cuts to the music program. Principals also addressed cuts at their individual schools.

Ultimately, the school board said it wanted to take extra time to decide on the final staff cuts. A working session was scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday, March 28. Decision day would be 6 p.m. Monday, March 31.

Contractually, the district has until April 1 to decide on tenure-track staff cuts.

“We need more time to sit down and think about it,” said Director Brandi Lautigar. “We do have to make cuts. We do have a task to do. There’s going to have to be cuts."

The board accepted the early retirements/resignations of math teacher Brian Skadsem, social studies teacher Gary Cornell, counselor Paula Larson and second grade teacher Gaye Lossing.

Rock Ridge hoped to realize $150,000 in budget cuts if five teachers and three principals took buyouts and a $10,000 incentive. The board, however, did not approve an agreement that would allow principals to take the buyout.

“I’m not in favor of this … I don’t see the point,” said Director Nicole Culbert Dahl. “I don’t want any principals to leave. I don’t know if it will save us money in the long run. I don’t see the logic in it.”

Two staff members whose jobs were listed among the cuts spoke the board.

“Do you know what we do for the district?” he asked. “It is hard work, but we make it work.”

Kate Barnes, a first grade teacher, said she was “thrilled” to join the district four years ago, and encouraged board members to come into the classrooms to see how teachers go beyond the job description.

Jerry Burnes

/

Iron Range Today

“This is not sustainable. This cannot be the answer,” she said. “Is this really what’s best for our students?”

Cuts to the music program and specialists drew the most outcry. Under the proposal, one music teacher and the choir teacher would be shed from the district.

Administrators pointed to declining numbers of students interested in the programs, but supporters worried that further cuts would deter open enrollment students attracted to what Rock Ridge offered.

“These new cuts you are now considering would decimate an already devastated music department,” said Molly Peltier, a Rock Ridge parent. “Please be certain you have put all options on the table because without quality personnel, these world class facilities and this cutting-edge educational model … will be nothing more than an empty shell and even emptier collection of trendy buzzwords.”

Specialist cuts could be a double-edged sword for the district.

“This is neglectful and reckless if this goes through,” said music teacher Julie Sandstede. "Specialists are going to increase your size. If its not good in the mainstream classrooms, its not good for the specialists.”

At the elementary level, said Laurentian Principal Angie Williams, cuts to physical education have her considering a “double gym” setup next year. That would mean two classes sharing a gym class at one time, with the potential for 50 students in all.

The school would look to other teachers and volunteers to fill in on managing the class, in this scenario.

“I think it sounds chaotic,” said Director Jennifer Bonner. “I think we’re looking at liability and kids getting hurt.”

Bigger picture is the health of the career academy model. Willie Spelts, director of school to work engagement, said in a separate update it would take three to five years for the academies to be fully up and running. He noted the Alexandria, Minnesota district, in which Rock Ridge was based on, was still evolving its model.

Yet, cuts and fewer electives have the district focused more on its core offerings. Mark Winter, the high school principal, said they can still offer the academies model and still has the goal of providing seniors with a semester-long internship in the community within the next two years.

“It feels like we need to get focused with our vision and how we’re going to make it work,” Bonner added.