Article Contributed on: 11/16/2009 7:32:01 AM
Several Jeffco school auditoriums resonated with cheers, applause and pleas from citizens at four public forums designed to let the community express concerns about potential changes meant to help the school district face budget cuts.
A 45-option list detailing the results of studies by a special committee was the catalyst.
Among the options are combinations of repurposing buildings, changing boundaries and closing schools.
After an introduction by Superintendent Cindy Stevenson, committee co-chair Bob West told a crowd last week that one of the problems is flat enrollment.
"There are 11,500 empty seats. We anticipate pulling $30 million out of the reserves for the next three years. The district was forward thinking enough to know this day was coming. We are all concerned about classroom size. For every million we can save, we are saving 20 teaching positions,"said West.
Co-chair Phillip Infelise received applause when he said the committee found a general theme encouraging them to move sixth graders into the middle schools. Before public comment began, he said, "Cuts in the facilities now lessen the cuts in the classroom later. Let's make those tough cuts now and prepare our school district for the future."
Speakers included parents, students, business leaders and elected officials. Some spoke individually, others as representatives of groups.
O'Connell Middle School parent Sandy Roberts has four kids in the Alameda articulation area.
"I understand there are ways to cut the fat. We have six administrators in every high school in Jefferson County. I think we can find better uses for our money, and I ask that you do so," Roberts said.
Melissa Reeves in the communications department at Jeffco Schools said the only high school that has close to six principals is Chatfield and that's because it has 2,300 students.
Lee Stevens, the father of a Devinny Elementary second-grader, was concerned about an option on the list that would move the gifted and talented program from Devinny to Pleasant View.
Scott Brown, the father of a Maple Grove elementary student, said he thought the document produced by the committee was unspecific. "It's hard for people to get a handle on what they are proposing. I think a lot of people haven't thought about what the implications are," Brown said.
The forums have been documented through notes and audio recordings available at www.jeffcopublicshools.org. A facilities usage committee meeting will be Nov. 30 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Education Center Board Room, fifth floor, 1829 Denver West Dr., Golden.