Chairmen Anticipate Budget Squeeze How will the failure of the District 207 tax referendum affect Maine South? Though decisions have not been finalized, several department heads are willing to guess where the necessary cuts will be made. Mr. Otto Kohler. social science department chairman, noted that "the classes are largest per teacher and the costs are lowest" in his department. He hopes that other departments will run as efficiently before the social science department cuts its spending. "Probably classes imder 20 students in all departments will be dropped," he commented. "I would presume there will be an increase in size of classes. We may initiate group instruction where a teacher lectures 120 students at one time." "A new kind of course we may offer that will accommodate more students per teacher is simulations in history," Mr. Kohler continued. "Students would simulate a period or event in history, each taking a part. An ideal class would have 42 to 48 students." Though he does not anticipate any staff reductions, any teachers hired in the future will be inexperienced. Mr. Kohler doesn't think this will have any effect on the quality of education. "It's good to hire new people," he said. "I have two sons that are coming to Maine South. I hope the quality of education that brought us 17 merit scholars will continue," Mr. Kohler observed. Mr. KcAler also believes the classroom to be the last place cuts should be made. He suggests looking more closely into extracurricular activities for cuts, though he believes those activities are of great merit. "The introspection and evaluations going on within the departments are very good," Mr. Kohler concluded. "It's good to stop, look at what you're doing, what's necessary and see how to run things in a more efficient fashion." Mr. Marian Davis, English department chairman, notes that English AP will be reduced to one period, as opposed to the present period and a half. "Having two-thirds of the time we've had in the past may affect results," he noted. It would be regrettable," Mr. Davis stated, "to increase size in a class where we work with reading and wnting skills."
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In the science department, equipment will be at a standstill and some classes may be eliminated. Mr. J. Ronald Teller, chairman of the department, commented, "First of all, I would be very surprised if we could purchase capital outlay items (equipment used year after year). We will probably also have to cut down on consumable supplies." "We may," he continued, "be forced to curtail our course offerings. We may not offer any classes with fewer than 20 students. I'm fairly certain we will close our seminars." Miss Katherine Pierce, chairman of the girls' physical education department, was disappointed when the referendum failed because she felt it showed that the community doesn't support what South is doing. "Right now it is too early to predict how the failure will af-
fect our department, but it looks like we won't be adding anything to our department next year," she explained. According to Miss Pierce, intramural sports could be seriously affected by the voters' decision. She doubts that any sport that has not been included in this year's program will be introduced next year. Classes will be expanded if the girls' physical education department is forced to reduce its staff. "Our primary concern is safety. With over 40 girls in a gym class, a teacher finds herself in a precarious situation regarding liability. I doubt much can be accomplished in an overcrowded gym class," Miss Pierce added. "Right now there are more kids who want art and can't take it. Last year we had to cut classes because of capacity," said Mr. Joseph Stilp,
"All expenses were cut by the district with care." the deterioration of the learning atmosphere." Mr. Elliott isn't sure what direction the cuts will take. "There aren't many ways to cut math budgets," he said. Vol. 8, No. 7 Maine Township High School South, Park Ridge, III. 60068 Dec. 17, 1971 "We don't really make decisions, except with relation to the direction of the cuts," Mr. Elliott continued. "In the final analysis, we'll probably be told at least how much and perhaps what should be cut." Mr. Elliott is "concerned about what cuts will do to the Increased benefits to the indi- freshman writing which he said riculum committee on the basis quality of the department." vidual student and greater flex- demonstrated several writing of teachers' suggestions. TwenAll the department chairmen ibility in the English department problems. ty-nine teachers turned in eighty stress that their statements are are behind recent changes in With the new elective system, proposals. Many of the courses mere conjecture. Final decithe English program, according students can now select courses which will be offered are com- sions are to be made by the to Mr. Marian Davis, depart- which will best fit their indi- binations of similar suggestions. Board of Education. ment chairman. vidual needs, interests and abilThis new English program Dr. Clyde K. Watson, princiThe new elective system came ities, Mr. Davis said. The sys- was first brought before the ad- pal, made some general comabout after two years of com- tem of phasing allows the ministration in January, and ments on the cuts. "Whatever cuts are made will mittee work which began when courses to better fit a student's was subsequently turned down, mainly for financial reasons. be done in all four schools. Mr. Davis hoard of the idea at level. Mr. Davis has been pleased After working on the program We'll take a good look at our a national conference in Washington in 1969. It began as the with the early results of pre-reg- continually throughout the sum- equipment budget. It may be Appropriate Placement for Ex- istration. He points out that mer, the English departent re- reduced drastically." He continued, "Many small cellence, APEX, program in English usage has had the high- cently brought it again before board, who accepted, with classes will be eliminated. Class Trenton, Michigan, and spread est preliminary registration. the This shows that students are the assurance that the program size will increase. Larger class nationally. being "pretty realistic" in their will cost no more than the pres- size automatically eliminates Several area high schools are course selections, he said, negat- ent one. staff." now among those using the pro- ing the fear that students will gram. pick courses which are too easy. Mr. Davis decided to adapt Preregistration will now be the new program for use at held every year. Courses which South after reviewing samples of do not have enough preliminary enrollments will be dropped, and students who chose these courses will make other choices during final registration. Some Class discussions concerning representative, a policeman, of the elements of the dropped lobbyists and the influence of several aldermen. Miss Little courses will then be incorpo- private citizens on government and a bicycle store owner. rated in existing ones to insure decisions have resulted in the Reviewing the present bicycle a balanced curriculum. formation of a student commit- code, conducting research and New courses will be instituted tee concerned with bicycle leg- making recommendations to the According to Mr. Kohler, the in the place of dropped courses islation in Park Ridge. City Council will be the group's A group of students in the main functions. criteria for selection were inter- the following year; thus hopes Government/Democracy est in government as evidenced for a more flexible English pro- Ace. Little commented that by grades in government and gram, new interests replacing classes of Miss Christine Little sheMiss was "pleasantly surprised history courses, as well as a the old, changing the depart- and Mr. Kenneth Faulhaber, at the city's response to our subjective analysis of the stu- ment gradually from year to after hearing Mr. Donald Sun- suggestions. It seems that many year. shine, Park Ridge Planning dent's overall performance in Park Ridgians recognize the school. The first offerings to be under Board advisor and bicycle en- growing bicycle trend and the "On the whole, we were very the new program beginning next thusiast, organized a committee need for improved bike ordiimpressed by the high qualifica- year were drawn up by a cur- to investigate bicycle legisla- nances benefiting both bicyclist tion. tions of all the candidates," Mr. and motorist." Kohler commented. Nine students and Miss Little Miss Little also mentioned went to City Hall to attend a The Washington Workshops City Council Committee meet- that the possibility of setting are held in six one-week sesing and explore the possibilities aside bicycle paths depends on sions from January 30 to July of organizing a group to study the committee's recommenda30. Pam and Tom will decide tions and the receptivity of the bicycle laws. which session they would like to Park Ridge. Though the meeting was canattend at a later date. Each year, each Illinois legMr. Faulhaber stated that The Workshops are open to islator can grant two students celled, the delegation was able any student who files an appli- in his district scholarships to to speak with Alderman Kinnel students in his classes feel that cation with director Leo Tonkin be used at a state school. One and the Ass't. City Manager planned bicycle paths would make traffic conditions safer and can cover the expenses of must be for the University of Chuck Stennis. the program. They were told Mayor Pea- for all concerned. Illinois and one for another state Mr. Kohler announced that he school. The scholarships cover cock was appointing a bike One of the students to serve has a $50 partial scholarships tuition and other expenses. committee and that he would on the committee, Krista Mcavailable to any such student Michael J. Bakalis, state sup- contact Miss Little about stu- Lean, believes that improved who can personally provide the erintendent of public instruction, dent participation in it. bicycle legislation is necessary rest of the necessary funds. The mayor called Miss Little because "bicyclists really have has introduced regulations to the Last year's representative to legislature shich will prevent le last week and suggested form- no safe place to ride. More the Workshops was Mary Beth islators from awarding these ing a standing committee con- people would bicycle if given Krebs '72. sisting of two students, a P.T.A. a safe area to do so." {CONTINUED ON PAGE a>
New English Elective System To Be Introduced Next Year
South Students Examine Bike Code in Committee
2 'Southwards' Editors WiU Go to Washington Pam Sakowicz and Tom Lanetot will represent Maine South at the 1972 Washington Workshops, Mr. Otto Kohler, social science department chairman announced exclusively to Southwords. First alternate is Lisa Piasecki. She wUl attend the seminar if either Pam or Tom cannot participate for any reason. Second and third alternates are Dianne Kinast and M i k e Goerss, respecitvely. Both Pam and Tom will receive $225 scholarships to cover tuition, room, board and fees for the Workshops. They must pay their own transportation costs. The scholarships were awarded by the Park Ridge Kiwanis. Pam, Tom and the 3 alternates were chosen from a field of approximately 25 senior applicants. The evaluation of the candidates was made by a committee of social science teachers selected by Mr. Kohler. Some teachers in other departments were also consulted.
chairman of the art department. Mr. Stilp believes that the department will have to cut down on specialized materials such as enamel, clay and other equipment. However, he could not speculate whether staff membership will be cut. "Now's the time to increase creativity. It has taken a long time to build up the art department we have here at South. It's too bad that the arts are first to suffer when there's an economic pinch." Mr. Joseph Elliott, chairman of the mathematics department, believes that the cuts "will affect class size. An increase in class size would reduce cost, but it would also reduce the quality of education." "With large classes," Mr. Elliott continued, "some of the interaction between a student and his teacher is lost. There is more group, less individual action. A large class leads to
Scholarships Restricted