Snowflake Unified School District Superintendent Hollis Merrell discussed “reconfiguration” during the report section of the Oct. 11 district governing board meeting.
“We might need to schedule a work session,” said Merrell, who noted he has met with a parent committee and talked to many of the school staff about the possibility of reconfiguring the intermediate schools.
“We’re looking, discussing the possibility of reconfiguring fourth, fifth and sixth grades,” he said, explaining that the fourth and fifth grades would have classes at Snowflake Intermediate School, and Taylor Intermediate School would serve the sixth grade students.
“We’re looking at the education value, would it have value for what we’re doing,” said Merrell, who noted that he felt that it would. Of value would be the fact that it would give teachers an opportunity to work with just sixth graders and prepare them for junior high school.
Merrell said that at present, there are more students in Snowflake than there are in Taylor.
With this change teachers would average 24 students in a class.
“If we continue to see the growth that we’re seeing, we’ll have to do something to alleviate that,” said Merrell, noting that they have been discussing this, but he felt they need to move quickly to implement the change by next school year.
Merrell expressed concern about busing, but felt that it would work out. Students might have to transfer buses in the afternoon, but not in the morning.
He said that they are busing some students from Snowflake to Taylor, and that the parents have had positive comments.
Board Vice President Carole Owen said she has talked to parents and at first some were upset about the transfer, but they now feel that it has been a positive thing.
Merrell said that when they went through the process and asked parents voluntarily to take kids to Taylor Intermediate School, it was really emotional for some.
“I see some benefits to it,” said SIS Principal Jody Bentz. “We have to have a conversation with parents and the community…I see some concerns, but it’s all things we need to look at.”
Board President Cory Johnson is on the committee and has begun talking about this informally in the community.
“If there are concerns, I want to hear about it so we can discuss it,” said Merrell. “I’d like to know some of the factors that would stop this.”
He noted that this will be discussed more in the coming months.
Highland Primary School Principal Roy Owens advised the board that Brandy Means, a teacher at his school, was selected to receive $460 in free equipment for her classroom from Donor’s Choose. Many businesses contribute to the program, and teachers selected received equipment or teaching materials. Owens encouraged other teachers to participate by going to the website DonorsChoose.org.
Food Service has had a program where parents, teachers, staff and students provide on what they like to eat and what things they need to change. A survey was made of the three things kids like to eat the most. Alicia Cockran spoke for Food Service. She invited parents and board members to come and enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner on Nov. 15 at the elementary schools and on Nov. 16 at the high school and junior high. She asked people to call and make reservations, and get the date and times at their child’s school.
Merrell reported that the district’s students did very well in testing. Board members received an email that showed comparisons of schools. “Compared to other schools, we are doing really well,” said Merrell, “the best in our area.” He attributed this to the teachers and parents, adding, “We’re not without our challenges, but students and staff continue to perform at a very high level.”
