Octorara Area School District teachers are expanding opportunities for students despite the shrinking state funding which is putting a strain on the district budget, Assistant Superintendent Nancy Bishop told the school board and approximately 50 community members in March.
Three ongoing initiatives are helping students and their families find their places in the world, Bishop said.
Fourth grade students are corresponding with education students at West Chester University to hone their writing and personal skills. Students from third grade through high school have been working on NASA and integrative math and science projects which culminated in grant-funded Geodome lessons for both students and their families.
Third, teachers in nearly every Octorara classroom are now using Promethean Boards, technologically interactive “chalk” boards, to enhance lessons. The district will receive nearly $15,000 in free Promethean equipment for piloting the product.
Parent Jennifer Zumiak of Londonderry Township also told the school board 10 Octorara teachers had been nominated for Citadel Heart of Learning awards from Citadel Bank. Zumiak said the teachers named finalists will each receive $500 checks to spend on classroom supplies and initiatives.
The Octorara teachers nominated were Holly Conte, Beth Davis, Cindy Eshleman, Kathleen Heller, Jeb King, Krista Lease, Mark Peticca, Andrew Reynolds, Jennifer Watson and Kristen Wimer.
“Our teachers are discouraged with (budget) cuts and the amount of work they have to do,” Zumiak said. “Our teachers are awesome. I want to keep good teachers in this district.”
The school board is currently working on trimming $1.5 million from its 2011-12 $47,829,317 budget which is up $1.8 million, or nearly 4 percent, over this year’s spending plan. The board is inviting the community to special budget meetings.
Administrators and school board members indicated the budget is still very much a work in progress.
In response to a question from Parkesburg resident Anita Grimes, Superintendent Tom Newcome said the district is not considering offering retirement incentives this year. Newcome said 10 teachers took advantage of an early retirement buyout last year, but this is not being offered this year.
Newcome said he is, however, crunching numbers regarding full-day kindergarten to see if this would make fiscal sense by keeping students (who might otherwise be lost to charter schools) in the district.
West Sadsbury resident Kathy Blank said she is concerned about possible teacher layoffs and the affect these would have on her children’s education.
“Can there be a pay freeze instead of laying off teachers?” Blank asked.
“How can we help?” asked community member Tammy Awad of West Sadsbury. “Can we brainstorm and fund raise?”
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