BRIEFING BUDGET CUTS

Through a year full of changes, here is a summary of the USD 497 District Budget cuts

Collected by Natasha Torkzaban

Teachers juggle increased class sizes, pay freezes and workload

Teacher pay: Due to the USD 497 budget crisis, student programs being cut and financial woes are impacting teachers. Despite this year’s 1.8% increase in pay, budget issues have caused staff members to experience vertical pay freezes.

Staff shortage: Financial problems have also led to district-wide staff shortages, as some teachers have completely left the profession and others are drawn to districts with slightly higher pay. Without the ability to attract, or fully compensate teachers, class sizes have significantly increased because not every position is filled.

Class sizes: Increased class sizes also add additional time commitments for teachers who do not have a lot of time to spare. During the week, teachers are in charge of creating lesson plans, grading assignments, giving feedback, attending training and more. While teachers are given four hours and 15 minutes of plan period a week, many teachers find themselves working after hours, on weekends, and even holidays trying to complete their work.

COVID-19 impacts: After being online for almost two years, many teachers have noticed gaps in student’s learning. Whether it’s struggling with academic concepts or difficulties with adjusting to a high school environment, many teachers are seeing it manifest in an increase in student anxiety, depression and lack of motivation.

Story by Alicia Narum

Coaches are blindsided by facility rental fees

Confusion among sports coaches stirs discussion with the district after a new Facility Use Schedule was released in July with increased rates.

Summer participation fees: Some coaches charge athletes to participate in summer workouts or camps. For example, volleyball charges $100 to participate in summer camp, which covers two hours worth of camp, a t-shirt, insurance and adds to the scholarship fund for athletes wanting to attend but unable to pay. The new facility rental fees drafted last summer could mean the district takes a cut of those profits, which several coaches have not previously been charged for or have been charged significantly lower rates.

Impact of summer programs: Although some coaches have expressed the new fees would dampen their summer preparation, Athletic Director Jered Shaw believes that holding camps over the summer is important and didn’t think the new fee schedule would have a big impact on summer offerings.

Draft changes: This draft was updated in February with new fees that would entail approximately $15 per day usage fees, compared to the $15 per hour fees originally. It is yet to be finalized.

Story by Natsha Torkzaban

Allison Mayhew

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Teachers are quitting Teachers are leaving, resulting in students without programs or educators.

Reasoning: Principal Amy McAnarney claimed teachers are leaving for many reasons, saying that some are going into the private sector to earn more money than their current teaching jobs.

Student impact: With the struggles of filling availability for certain teaching roles, students are left without certain opportunities, programs and clubs, and this problem is likely to continue next year. “It’s likely to be a continuing problem,” McAnarney said. “There’s not as many young people going into the field of education to be teachers. The primary reason for that is they can earn more money at otherStoryprofessions.”

by Conrad Hill

Futures Planning committee proposed budget cuts

On Jan. 18, In an attempt to bridge the budget gap of $9.6 million, the USD 497 Futures Planning Committee (FPC) proposed a series of proposed cuts. Objectives: The main objectives are to achieve competitive wages for staff, allocate funds for annual cost increases and increase district cash balances.

Concerns: Families and community members expressed concern at the meetings, particularly with the way the proposals were being handled.

Story by Cici Hunter, Lilly Wall and Natasha Torkzaban

District votes to transition from Macbooks to iPads next year

The board made the decision on Jan. 23, following a difficult conversation regarding ways the school budget could be cut.

Reasoning: They estimate saving approximately $1.3 million per year by transitioning to iPads. The District Technology Services Department based their results off of adaptability, potential cost savings and durability. Leading up to the decision: The District Technology Services Department based their results off of adaptability, potential cost savings and durability. To evaluate how iPads may potentially affect student’s abilities to learn, District Technology Director David Vignery asked teachers to volunteer for a trial run. The responses were mixed. Some teachers were unaffected by the change, but CTE teachers struggled with the functionality of the device.

District votes to close Pinckney and Broken Arrow Elementary schools

Leading up to the decision: On March 25, the district held two public hearings at Broken Arrow and Pinckney Elementary. Approximately 100 community members showed up to express their concerns regarding the school closures. Voting process: On March 27, a narrow 4-3 vote came after a five-hour meeting filled with concerned families and staff who pleaded with the board against the closings.

Story by Natasha Torkzaban and Lilly Wall

Story

by Allison Mayhew and Lilly Wall

Moving forward