School Funding

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SIDE Teton Valley News - February 7, 2013I -NPage A1

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Are you ready to die for your guns?

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What will the Teton School District look like in 2014?

Four-day week, more cuts eyed; levy vote March 12

“Attempts at confiscation will receive the “I’ll tell you this, sir: your statements are death penalty,” said JB (Bruce) Campbell, frightening, and I am speechless,” said founder of the modern militia movement, Teton County Sheriff Tony Liford, during during a pro-gun rally at the Driggs City the rally.

Center Feb. 1.

Kitchener Head: “When they take the guns away from the people they turn the people into slaves.”

Tony Goe: “I’m more afraid of the people coming after our food and after our [resources] than the government coming after our guns.”

Anti-gun control rally Friday Photos & story by Ken Levy TVN Staff

If they come for your guns without a warrant, somebody’s going to have to die.

JB Campbell, who organized an anti-gun control rally at the Driggs Senior Center Friday night, told the full house that gun confiscation is an act of war against the people.

With gun owners increasingly jittery over myriad proposed gun control laws some perceive will eventually disarm them, some are gearing up to fight.

“Anyone who’s hoping there’s a safe, legal and peaceful way to hold on to his guns is going to be disappointed.

Gun control is about who is going to run this country – us or the foreign gangsters,” said Campbell, founder of the modern militia movement.

Campbell said the “rabid dogs” in the Obama administration and the “international gangsters” of the United Nations, Communist China, the Israeli lobby and the Mexican drug cartels want ordinary American citizens disarmed.

“They mean to enslave all of us and kill some of us,” he said. “We’re going to have to fight back sooner or later, regardless of whom it pleases or displeases. It’s either fight or start

waving the white flag and I doubt that anyone in here is ever going to wave the white flag. Nope, we’ll fight it out and see who wins. I’m pretty sure it’s going to be us.”

By us, Campbell meant ordinary citizens, who account for some 300 million-400 million firearms in America. That massive number of guns is the only thing standing in the way of “a declaration of a totalitarian dictatorship by the Obama administration.”

Should laws involving confiscation be enacted, Teton County, along with the rest of the nation’s citizens, should be prepared to act against them, said Campbell.

“At that point, we start making changes,” he said. “We, the ones who pay the bills, take over the law. Our law will become what used to be called frontier justice. Attempts at confiscation will receive the death penalty.”

Campbell said a standard procedure of immediate action must be developed “in the event any county resident is attacked by gun-grabbers.

This is the essence of our new neighborhood watch program: our readiness to defend our fellow residents from federal attackers.”

This will also apply to any attempt at police or military roadblocks in

and some districts, such as Salmon, have adopted the plan.

This is part 1 in a 4-part series The Salmon School that takes a look at school District has been on a fourfunding. day school week for about Although the Teton School seven years, said Joey Foote, District is still taking baby SSD superintendent. Student steps in its research, the conacademic achievement has cept of switching from a five Woolstenhulme been as good or better as to a four-day school week is with a five-day week, he one of many possibilities it’s said, with the district meetconsidering to balance next ing state Adequate Yearly year’s budget.

Progress goals measured in Regardless of whether 2011 and all requirements voters March 12 renew an for high-school accreditation. enlarged supplemental levy “We would have a mutiny” — $3.1 million, up from $2.6 if the district chose to return when it was renewed in 2011 to five-day weeks, said Foote, — the district is looking at Foote who has been with the dismany alternatives to save trict about three years. money wherever it can.

The four-day schedule is particularly TSD Superintendent Monte effective for the ranching community, Woolstenhulme is speaking to other which puts kids home for the extra day districts that have made the switch to a week, he said. four days, to see what the financial School days run 8:05 a.m.-4:15 p.m. savings potential might be, as well as High school runs seven periods, and instructional and calendar issues. He’ll Foote said there apparently are few share details with the district board at issues with younger students on the its Feb. 11 meeting. long schedule. First graders, transitionThe idea has been floating around for several years in Teton County, School continued on A12 Ken Levy TVN Staff

The survey says. . .

TVN Staff The Teton Valley News, in a recent survey, asked Facebook followers how they felt about the possibility of a four-day school week.

Here are excerpts from some of the more than 40 Facebook responses as of Jan. 31:

“I love it,” said Angela Hoopes, who teaches eighth grade reading and literacy at Teton Middle School. “People who live in districts that operate this way say it was an adjustment at first, but would never go back. Plus, the [money] savings are for real. Definitely worth seriously considering, I think. I would love an extra 15-20 minutes of instructional time each class period to give my lesson that extra umph it needs to drive the concept home some days without having to spend half the next day when I could go on to something new.”

Survey continued on A12

Guns continued on A12 I N S I D E

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Page A12 - February 7, 2013 - Teton Valley News

Conceal carry class TVN staff The Teton Valley Republican Women are sponsoring a concealed carry permit class.

Legal Heat, a company that offers instruction throughout the country led by attorneys and instructors certified through the National Rifle Association, will conduct the class. According to the organization’s website, the class qualifies participants to obtain the Idaho, Utah, Arizona, or Oregon concealed carry permits.

“Idaho does not require a certified instruction class for the permit,” Lynda Skujins of the Republican Women said.

She also said that the State of Washington does not honor Idaho’s conceal carry permit, but Washington does honor Utah’s conceal carry permit and that Utah also requires a class conducted by a certified instructor.

The class will take place Tues., February 12, 2013 from 5:30- 9 p.m. at the Teton Valley Fairgrounds.

To register visit www.mylegalheat.com or call 877-252-1055.

Legal Heat will provide each paying class attendee who completes the entire class with a copy of the following: 1. A signed and certified application for the Utah concealed firearm permit.

2. A signed and certified certificate of completion.

3. A copy of all class materials on a CD-ROM. 4. A fingerprint card.

5. Two passport sized photographs.

6. An envelope for use in applying for the Utah concealed firearm permit.

7. Instructions on how to apply for the Wyoming, Idaho and Arizona concealed firearm permits

School

Guns

continued from A1_____________________________________________________________________

Teton County, Campbell said. “rather have those people [the military] by my side “We now know that Idaho is a than anybody else when the drones have been used against us here in the valley, feces hits the fan over this right-to-carry so we encourage the shootgun control thing.” state, and you ing down of these dangerous Goe said the people can’t legislate who will cause the most weapons at the first opportunity,” he said. “Look up threat “are the people… lunacy. when you hear something who don’t have. I’m more ____________ overhead.” afraid of the people coming Tony Liford after our food and after our According to Campbell, Teton County [resources] than the govern“there is no doubt” many Sheriff ment coming after our guns.” police departments are Goe said he believes ordiencouraged to brutalize civilians. nary citizens should have “The list of American terthe right to carry weapons rorism around the world is of personal and self-defense too long for this meeting,” equal to that allowed to the Campbell said. “Many of us military. have suspected that our military men and “Do not come for my guns,” said women have been trained in Iraq and Kitchener Head. “When they take the Afghanistan to brutalize civilians there, guns away from the people they turn the as a prelude to do the same to civilians people into slaves. If they came for my over here.” guns, and I gave them to them, I would “I have faith in the USA,” said Teton be the biggest coward that ever lived.

County Sheriff Tony Liford, later in the When I die, it will not be as a slave, and meeting. Just because something is on it will not be as a coward.” the Internet doesn’t make it true, he said, Jeff Stratton told the audience gun and he defends everyone’s right to their users should promote their sports and own opinions. But he told Campbell and safety and help grow the next generathe audience that he “doesn’t have the tion of responsible gun users. He said same cynical view as other folks about he missed the rifle range that used to be this country.” in Victor and believes residents should “I’ll tell you this, sir,” Liford said, band together to develop a formal rifle “your statements are frightening, and I range to show the sport side of gun use. am speechless.”

“A few bad eggs ruin it for all,” he said.

Tony Goe, whose career included Liford, who was a New York City helping develop Intelligence business cop earlier in his career, said he doesn’t processes for the Defense Intelligence require those seeking concealed-weapon Agency and working with Joint Special permits in Teton County to take any kind Operations and other agencies, said he’d of class or instruction prior to issuing

that permit.

At the meeting, Liford read the proclamation from the National Sheriffs’ Association, which supports the rights conferred by the Second Amendment to the Constitution.

The proclamation says, in part, that “the causes of violence must be addressed on many fronts, including improving mental health treatment, media violence, drugs, gangs, breakdown of the family, strengthening the laws that prevent or reduce the access of legally-prohibited persons to firearms and vigorous enforcement of existing laws.”

Sheriffs “strongly support our citizens’ protected right to bear arms under the Second Amendment,” the proclamation says, “and the NSA does not support any laws that deprive any citizen of the right provided under the Constitutional bill of rights.”

Idaho is a right-to-carry state, said Liford, and “you can’t legislate lunacy.”

Campbell said he started the Modern Militia Movement in 1989. He is the author of “The New American Man—A Call to Arms.”

TVN en Español JB Campbell organizó una reunión en contra de la regulación de las armas. Según Campbell el gobierno es una amenaza a la libertad del pueblo y la gente debe estar preparadas defenderse del gobierno. Otras que estaban presentes en la reunión pensaban que Campbell era un extremista. “Sus declaraciones son espantosas y me quedaron sin palabras,” dijo el Sheriff Tony Liford. Tony Goe, un exmilitar, dijo que tiene más miedo de ellos que quieren robar su comida y otros recursos que del gobierno.

continued from A1____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ing from half-day kindergarten, start the day with breakfast at school.

Districts throughout the state have differing schedules to meet the needs of their students in their community, but there’s no research that favors any particular schedule for student learning.

“The schedule isn’t the main factor,” Woolstenhulme said. “It’s the quality of the teacher in the classroom, and how engaged and supported the student is in that learning process.”

The schedule isn’t the main factor.

It’s the quality of the teacher in the classroom, and how engaged and supported the student is in that learning process. _______________

ger class periods and fewer transitions at all grade levels. This increases the efficiency of instruction.

•

Students and teachers share more positive attitudes about school.

Consequently, there is a marked improvement in school morale.

The switch doesn’t affect the number of instructional hours — 990 — required during a school year. Instead, it makes each school day Monte longer, reducing the total Woolstenhulme, days in school to roughly TSD Superintendent 150.

Teacher and administraBetter or worse? tor salaries remain the same Statewide research to since they are set as an annudate is inconclusive regardal salary rate. Salary savings ing whether a four-day school week is better are realized by the cuts to hourly worker or worse for students, or whether there hours. Fewer substitutes are needed due to really is no difference. better attendance, according to the report.

In its study on the effectiveness of the “Districts typically report a cost savconcept, the Rural Education Task Force of ings after transferring to a four-day school the Idaho State Department of Education week but also report that the savings are said there is little research available on the not substantial,” the report said. “Most cost practice of a four-day school week and its savings come as a result of decreased work effects on student achievement. schedules for classified staff who work on “There is a lack of evidence that the an hourly basis.” four-day school week helps or hurts stuFoote said financial savings are relatively dent achievement,” said the report, which small in the SSD, with the biggest savings, surveyed Idaho districts subscribed to the at about 15-20 percent, coming from bus four-day program. route transportation over the widespread While many districts report an increase district. Classified salary savings run only in actual instructional time due to less inter- about 5-10 percent, since some are working ference from athletics, doctor and den- longer days rather than taking an entire tist appointments, “concerns have been full day off. expressed by some that certain students in The report found similar results, with need of more frequent reinforcement have transportation costs potentially reduced trouble with continuity of learning with the by about 20 percent, although districts three-day weekend,” the RETF said. have to severely curtail busing students The switch from five to four days is on non-school days. Fixed costs, such as an economic strategy used by small, rural insurance, remain constant. Those costs are school districts as an alternative to cutting not a net savings, however, since the state programs. But the report said additional reimburses districts only up to 85 percent advantages come from that switch, includ- of their transportation costs. ing: Food service programs can also be cut by • Student dropout rates decline.

20 percent, but that also does not include • Student disciplinary referrals decrease. fixed costs.

“A full 20 percent reduction in these areas • Student achievement is generally not for many districts that have made the transiaffected either positively or negatively. tion results in roughly a 2 percent savings in • St udent and teacher attendance the districts’ overall budget,” said the report.

“The savings come to the entire system, improves. including the state,” Foote said.

• Students and teachers benefit from less The Salmon district, which serves 810 interrupted class time as a result of lonstudents, has a budget of $5.7 million.

SSD gets local budget support through a $350,000 supplemental levy. Now in the first year of its third voter-approved renewal, the funds go toward athletics, music and arts and technology.

Other concerns The RETF said childcare is an issue, with some parents saying they find it easier to find a babysitter for one day, rather than a few hours for five days.

“Others dislike it for the same reason and prefer to arrange for child care in smaller increments of time,” the report said. “Some schools have alleviated this concern by using high school students as baby-sitters for those in need.”

The report found other concerns regarding the transition, including: • How young students will respond to longer school days. Many schools structure the day so the afternoon is composed of less academic work than the morning, thus allowing students to have some “down time,” according to the report • Some educators are concerned that the four-day school week may appear to be inconsistent with the new emphasis for more time in school.

• The four-day school week will take more of the local community commitment than other schedule options as it can affect daily community routines.

• While a four-day school week may appear to be effective in one district, it does not guarantee that it will be effective in all.

The report strongly recommends districts considering the change get extensive community feedback.

TVN en Español Para ajustar su presupuesto, el distrito escolar de Teton está considerando todas las posibilidades. Una semana escolar de cuatro días es una opción para reducir los gastos del distrito.

En Salmon, Id, las escuelas funcionan con solo cuatro días de escuela. Cada día es más largo para cumplir las horas escolares requisitas por el estado. Según Joey Foote, el superintendente del distrito escolar de Salmon, el rendimiento académico de los estudiantes ha sido tan buena o mejor como con una semana de cinco días.

Pero, según una investigación del Rural Education Task Force, el horario de cuatro días reduce el presupuesto escolar por solamente 2 por ciento. El distrito escolar de Teton todavía no ha decidido en como reducir su gastos. También pedirá a los votantes el día 12 de Marzo una exacción especial de $3.1 millón.

Survey continued from A1 “My family moved back to Teton Valley not long ago after living in Salmon for four years,” said Megan Beard. “My kids and I loved the four day school week in Salmon.

They had longer time in each class therefore having more time to finish assignments and have the teacher there for help. When they bring work home I am not always sure what the teacher is looking for, so if they get it done while having input in class it is a much better situation.

After about two weeks of adjusting to the new schedule, we all loved it.

My kids missed less school because we scheduled all eye doctor, dentist, etc. appointments for Fridays; if we needed to take off for the weekend we always [k]new we wouldn’t have to miss school because it was always a [four] day school week. I would be very happy with a four day school week.”

Tiffany Harris Jenkins: “I am concerned with the length of the school day for our younger children. The bus already comes at 7:05 in the morning, and our kids don’t get home until 4. If we had to add another hour plus to each school day, it would be much much too early or much much too late when our children left or arrived home from school.”

Andrea Arnold Davis: “If you cut down to 4 days...those are LONG days for the students and teachers.

We learn better by repetition...doing things repeatedly in smaller amounts of time. Not by cramming information in long blocks of time.”

Lexie Hill: “We really should all join together and fight the real problem, which is the state of Idaho not putting education first. Idaho is cutting its own throat in so many ways by cutting funding to its schools.”

Johnny Ziem: “I think the state of public education in Idaho is a real shame.”

104 Making YEARS movies

Valentine’s Day Quiz Find out how much you know about this beloved holiday B1

Teton Valley News - February 14, 2013 - Page A1

Youth HOckey hosts Tournament

Filmmaker and high school junior, Phillip Schoen, recently turned his lens on the Valley’s only indoor theater. A7

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Staff Subtraction

The potential loss of staff to the Teton School District if budgets are cut should the supplemental levy fail to pass. The numbers are FTE (full-time equivalent) and are only estimates at this time.

Administrators

8.7 - 5.77 = 2.93 _________________ What the district has

What the state pays for

Who could go

Instructional

95.86 - 84.69 = 11.17 _________________ What the district has

What the state pays for

Who could go

Classified

64.61 -28.87 = 35.74 What the district has

What the state pays for

Who could go

_________________

TVN infographic/Amy Birch

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Open doors for children Calling all foster parents

other counties if a situation arises.

The second foster home recently closed their certification after adopting their foster child.

“It’s one of these things that when Bridget Ryder you need it, you need it,” Williamson TVN staff said.

Not removing children from their Adam Williamson wants Teton community even when they leave Valley to know, “We have a moral their parents’ home keeps the kids obligation to help the children in our in their larger supcommunity.” port system, faciliWillimason, a tates case planning, counselor and menInformational and makes reuniting tal health care promeeting on families easier, accordvider at Teton Valley becoming a foster ing to McDermott and Health Care, hopes parent Williamson. to find more people Five children in in Teton Valley willWhere: Old Court Teton Valley have had ing to take children in House, 89 N. Main to go into foster care Driggs emergency situations in the last two-andinto their homes.

When: Thursday, Feb. half years, McDermott He is co-hosting 20 6:30-8p.m. said. The Fosters proan informational sesContact: Brittany vided a home for those sion on foster parentCampbell at 354-8362 children. ing Thurs., Feb. 20 at or Jen Franco Lisa and Bob Foster (208) 699-8093 the Old Courthouse took in their first foster in Driggs. The evePizza served at children 10 years ago ning will start with 6:30 p.m. when the ex-girlfriend pizza at 6:30 p.m. of Lisa Foster’s brothand run until 8 p.m. er called her. Her two “For some reason, daughters, ages seven we just have very few and eight were about to fall into the resources in Teton Valley,” Kathy custody of Child Safety and Welfare, McDermott, child safety supervisor for the Idaho Department of Child but heir mother didn’t want them to end up in the home of strangers.

Safety and Welfare Region 7, said.

The girls knew the Fosters as aunt Right now, Teton Valley has only and uncle even though there was one home certified to care for foster children, meaning there’s potential no blood relation. The couple went for Teton Valley kids to be sent to Fostering continued on A12

No school levy=significant Valley Catholics react to cuts across the board Pope’s announcement Supplemental

TSD Superintendent, said.

“The levy is needed due to State of Idaho levy meetings Ken Levy education funding cuts, TVN Staff Monday, Feb. 18, combined with an effort 7 p.m. at Tetonia Part Although the Teton to keep high quality staff, Elementary School District has a strict retain quality programs, policy about making budget and expand where needMonday, Feb. 25, cuts as far from the class7 p.m., at the Teton ed (full-day kindergarten, School District Office room as possible, student grade level splits to creboardroom, 445 N. educational experiences ate 4-5 Rendezvous Upper Main, Driggs could be affected should votElementary School) and ers fail to renew an expanded Monday, March 4, further support quality 7 p.m. at Victor supplemental levy. education,” said Diane Elementary The district has more Temple, executive direcstaff, including administrator of the Teton Valley tors, teachers and classified, Education Foundation, than the state pays for. State in an email. and local funding together cover all of In a worst-case scenario, if the levy vote, those positions, with some special educa- scheduled for March 12, should fail, the tion and Title 1 remediation programs district could run it again during the prifunded federally. maries in May, try again in August and the But local funding — primarily the sup- general election in November. The school plemental levy — picks up the cost of those board would look at the margin of failure not covered by state money. in any of those cases and make adjustments “Without the levy there would be significant cuts in every category position we have School cuts continued on A12 in the district,” Monte Woolstenhulme, Part two in a series on school funding

Bridget Ryder TVN staff “As a Catholic, I didn’t even know the Pope could resign,” Melanie Rehberg said.

She and other Catholics reacted to Pope Benedict XVI’s announcement earlier in the week that he will resign from the TVN Photo/Bridget Ryder papacy at the end of Father Camillo Garcia, pastor of Good Shepherd the month.

Catholic Church in Driggs, places ashes on the foreThe congregation head of one of his parishioners Tuesday night during a of Good Shepherd Mass in anticipation of Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday Catholic Church begins the Lent, forty days of preparation for Easter. gathered on Tuesday night for the first time addressing what was on everyone’s since Benedict XVI announcement. mind—the Pope’s resignation.

Father Camillo García presided “It’s sad for us but we see it with over Mass in anticipation of Ash the eyes of the gospel that Jesus Wednesday at the almost-filled Christ is our Good Shepherd,” the church, just south of Driggs.

Pope continued on A13 García opened his homily by

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Page A12 - February 14, 2013 - Teton Valley News

School cuts

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to the request as needed.

Layoffs could begin if the levy fails in March and in May, because by May and June “we’re making staffing decisions for the next school year, and there would be dramatic cuts in staffing and programs, but we’d still plan to run it again in August. But you’re already committed to contracts and staffing for the next school year.”Woolstenhulme said.

Those layoffs would be across the board. Classified support staff are paid hourly and would take the biggest cuts in a four-day week because of fewer bus runs and fewer meals to cook, for example, he said.

Woolstenhulme said the district spends about $41,000 a day to operate on a five-day week. If everyone’s salary is reduced by one percent, that saves $41,000.

With five snow days built into its calendar, which adds more hours than the state requires, the district could eliminate those and meet the state minimum, saving $205,000.

“That’s an additional 2.5 percent salary reduction for all staff, because you’re shortening their contract by that much,” he said.

“There is no great solution to trimming a budget by 10 percent, and I expect that we will all feel the pinch next year,” said Dan Abraham, who teaches physics, environmental science, Earth systems science and advanced placement biology to juniors and seniors at Teton High School.

“Whether it be supplies, staff, personnel, professional development, or extracurriculars, I think everyone in the district, including the students, will feel

Fostering

104 YEARS

the [effect] of such a big cut,” he said.

Many of Abraham’s science classes use one-time lab use equipment, materials and supplies. Should cuts dig deep, “I can expect to see a decrease in what I can complete in the laboratory, an increase in the size of lab groups, and will continue supplementing supplies out of my own pocket,” he said.

While no cuts have been determined as of yet on the local level, a 3 percent statewide school budget increase proposed by State Superintendent of Education Tom Luna may not go very far in meeting actual classroom needs.

For example, the increase includes helping fund school computer programs to help manage student achievement data.

“But they’re not fully funding teachers on the salary schedule,” Woolstenhulme said. “At the state level, they’re funding teachers at minus two years’experience.”

The TSD decided to continue to support and try to keep teachers retained in the district by making up the difference.

“Either school districts make up that difference to keep them at the level they are, or they cut the teacher by that two-year differential, following what the state is funding,” he said.

“When you dig in to the numbers, they want to pay for computer programs but they don’t want to fund teachers fully on their salaries. I don’t understand that. That’s the core of what we do, is teachers in the classroom. To say a computer program is more important than funding a teacher’s salary, I strongly disagree with that.”

Above: Dan Abraham, center, teaches physics, environmental science, Earth systems science and advanced placement biology to juniors and seniors at Teton High School. Here, he checks on the progress of a student experiment on photosynthesis using colored filters, with Kody Hill, right, as Jacob Miskin prepares his project.

Left: Dan Abraham checks on the progress of a student experiment on photosynthesis using colored filters.

TVN Photos/Ken Levy

continued from A1______________________________________________________________________________________________________ through a quick training and two days after the desperate phone call took in their first two foster children The older of the two girls, Taisha, now 17, became a permanent member of the family when the Fosters adopted her, but the door to their home has remained open to other children in need.

“It’s rewarding,” Lisa Foster said.

The Fosters have cared mostly for teenagers, which means dealing with the tribulations of adolescence while accepting a person into their home who is accustomed to a different way of life. That is where Lisa Foster finds the joy. Most of their foster children come from difficult, dysfunctional situations. Life with the Fosters may be their first opportunity to see that “there’s a different way to live.”

They also receive an affection they may have never known. ”You can show them affection, some don’t even know what affection is,” Lisa Foster said.

She takes things slowly, however.

“Each kid is different,” she said, and it takes time to learn the best way to show a new child that she cares for him or her.

To help with integration into the their home, Lisa Foster and her husband, Bob, start with a talk about the rules—the free-

doms and limitations in their home and, oh yes, you must keep your room clean.

“It lasts about two weeks,” Lisa Foster said, “and then their room is like any other teenagers’.”

The foster parents also introduce the new member to the rest of the family still living at home—13-year-old Dillon, 17-year-old-Taisha, and 17-year-old Sean.

The Fosters have experience blending families. Both of them were married with their own children before meeting and marrying each other. Dillon is their biological son. Taisha was their first foster child and is now their adopted daughter. Sean is Lisa Foster’s biological son.

Bob Foster’s two children both live in California.

The children in need arrive one or two at a time. They have never had to refuse any child and have had only one serious personality conflict. They occasionally host children from other counties who need a greater geographical separation from the parental home.

Becoming a foster parent requires a background check, a home inspection, references, medical references, and 27 hours of training. Rexburg currently offers the closest available training, but if Teton Valley garners enough interest, having the

training in the county is possible. The informational meeting will help determine the interest.

“We would really like to get people trained in Teton Valley,” Williamson said.

Growing the community resources benefits everyone.

TVN en Español Williamson, un asesor y proveedor de atención mental en Teton Valley Health Care, espera encontrar a más personas en Teton Valley dispuestos a llevar a los niños en situaciones de emergencia a sus hogares. Es coanfitrión de una sesión informativa sobre padres de crianza que tendrá lugar el jueves, día 20 de febrero en el edificio de la antigua corte de Driggs. La velada comenzará con pizza a las 6:30 p.m. y correrá hasta las 8 p.m.

En este momento, Teton Valley tiene un solo hogar certificado para cuidar a los niños de crianza, lo que significa que hay potencial de que niños de Teton Valley sean enviados a otro condado si surge una situación. Convertirse en un padre de crianza requiere una verificación de antecedentes, una inspección de la casa, referencias, referencias médicas, y 27 horas de entrenamiento. La sesión de información ayudará a determinar el interés.

Por: Luis F. Ortiz.

104 YEARS

Teton - Page A1 RecapsValley News Hats recycles - February 21, 2013 INSIDE old clothing into chic head pieces and is the latest business to set up shop in Local the Driggs Industrial Park. stories A14

Old shoes, rusted bottle caps, postcards and envelopes that would have gone straight from the mailbox to the trashcan are repurposed into art at a new display at The City Gallery. B11

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Why is school funding so uncertain?

Property owners help shoulder shortfall Part three in a series on school funding

Ken Levy TVN Staff How did we get to this place?

When then-Governor Jim Risch worked with the Idaho legislature to shift school-funding sources from property to sales taxes in 2006, “we were fuming mad about the whole deal,” said Doug Petersen, Teton School District board president.

That’s because sales taxes are an unstable and unreliable funding source, espe-

cially in recessionary conditions. With less sales tax revenue came less funding for schools, said Petersen. The difference has been made up since 2007 with supplemental levies “that put it back on property owners,” he said, to help keep current educational programs relatively intact.

As the current recession hit, and the economy went down, sales tax revenues went down and school funding from the state dropped as well.

The state is not bringing in sales tax revenues as projected to pay for schools, said board member Nancy Arnold.

She urged voters to tell the legislature to restore full funding to schools, and increase it, as the economy

Washington

Montana

$9,452

$10,497

Oregon

Idaho

$9,624

$7,106

Nevada

$8,483

Wyoming

$15,169

Utah

$6,064

California

$9,375

Here’s how Idaho compares to neighboring states in per student spending 2009-2010

TVN infographic/Amy Birch

Source: U.S. Census Bureau From Stateimpact.npr.org

School funding continued on A12

A deal on spuds is not a good deal for farmers Bridget Ryder TVN staff “Should be a real good buy,” Dennie Arnold, a potato grower in Felt said of spuds he had seen on display at Broulim’s supermarket in Driggs.

Prices on the pomme de terre have plummeted this year in the United States. To compensate, Teton Valley’s potato growers are getting their foot into international markets. Not all the varieties of seed potatoes grown in Teton Valley flourish in tropical climates, but surprisingly, some do.

Shipments of Teton seed potatoes have already reached the Congo, Thailand, and Nicaragua, according to Keith Esplin, who runs NuSeed, a cooperative based in Rexburg. This week more Teton seed potatoes will also start their journey to Brazil and Mauritius, an island off the east African coast near Madagascar. The new markets could be the future of American potato production.

“Seed growers can’t expand locally because potato production is about peaked out in the US,” Esplin said.

The demand for potatoes grew with the rise of French fries and potato chip consumption in the 1960s even through the 1990’s. However, the frozen and processed potato markets leveled off in recent years while potato yields increased. Farmers are producing more edible potatoes than ever from one Teton seed potato, further decreasing their demand.

“We’re too good of farmers,” Esplin said.

American potato growers are out-pacing consumption of the starchy vegetable. According to Arnold, growers planted approximately 40,000 to 60,000 acres too many of potatoes last year. The over-production and a bumper crop glutted the market and resulted in this year’s plunging prices.

Arnold said that the failure of the European potato crop combined with a weak American dollar saved American potato growers last year by allowing them Spuds continued on A12

Conservation enforcers bag poachers One allegedly aims shotgun at officer

Ken Levy TVN Staff A suspect in an alleged illegal duck hunting investigation reportedly pointed his shotgun at an officer citing him for the violation.

Lauren Wendt, senior conservation officer for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, said she was on general patrol Nov. 16 when she came upon signs of vehicles on private property near Nickerson Bridge on the Teton River.

Wendt said she called the property owner regarding whether the owner had granted permission to hunt there. When she was told no, she “hiked through the snow” to where she found two Wendt suspects who had been allegedly duck hunting on the private property and who didn’t have permits for migratory bird hunting.

Suspect Seth T. Mills of Driggs allegedly pointed his shotgun at her. At that point, said Wendt, she drew her weapon and commanded him to put down his gun, “which ultimately, he did.”

Wendt said she was prepared to shoot because she didn’t have any other options.

In addition to two other wildlife violations, Mills was charged by Teton County with exhibition or use of a deadly weapon, according to a release from the IDFG. Wendt said he is due for a May court appearance on the charges.

Conservation officers concluded an investigation regarding the illegal taking of a mule deer buck from Teton Canyon. The IDFG release said

Photo Courtesy Idaho Department of Fish and Game

Ben Brown of Tetonia pleaded guilty in Teton County to illegally taking a trophy mule deer buck in Teton Canyon.

a Boone and Crockett scorer gave the buck a green score of 181 2/8 inches, well within measurements regarding the animal as a trophy.

Ben Brown of Tetonia was charged with illegal taking of a trophy animal and Jacob Knight of Park Valley, Utah, was also cited.

Wendt said Brown pleaded guilty Feb. 14 in Teton County and his fines, fees and restitution added up to $2,670. Brown also had his hunting privileges revoked for two years in 37 states, including Idaho, and received 30 days of jail suspended and two years’ probation.

The states, she said, are members of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact. Illegal taking of trophy-class deer carries enhanced civil penalties, said Wendt.

Knight “was with Brown when Brown killed the deer and helped Brown transport and cut up the deer,” said Wendt. He was charged with unlawful Poachers continued on A12

I n d e x Weather....................... A3

Puzzle...........................B5

Letters......................... A5

Classifieds.................. B13

Valley Views................ A5

Service Directory.......A15

Community News....... A8

Legals......................... B15

Calendar.......................B8

Find us on the web @ t e t o n va l l e y n e w s . n e t

Page A12 - February 21, 2013 - Teton Valley News

104 YEARS

School funding

continued from A1_ improves. The state may have to look at other means of funding to achieve this, she said.

But the district has been better off financially than many of the surrounding districts, said TSD Superintendent Monte Woolstenhulme.

Woolstenhulme, who has served the TSD about 3.5 years, said the district forestalled its present budget situations with a combination of using the funding it had, drawing down its reserves and using local levies.

The latter is up for renewal at $3.1 million, up from $2.6 million in 2011, in front of voters March 12.

“We’ve been able to delay a lot of [budget-cutting decisions] 2-3 years later than most of the school districts in eastern Idaho have already had to do.”

The reality, said Woolstenhulme, “is that we can’t sustain it at that level without either dramatic cuts, dramatically raising the levy or looking at other solutions.”

That meant discussions on where to tighten the budget, cuts and reductions.

“If we’d started more cuts sooner, we’d probably be in a different place than we are today, but we’d have started them 2-3 years ago,” Woolstenhulme said. “We’ve made less dramatic and painful cuts previous to now, reducing some positions, some operating budgets, but nothing to this extent based on where the budget is right now.”

The district probably won’t know what the state plans with its school funding until March, including whether it will fund education at last year’s level, Woolstenhulme said.

The district could lose an additional $90,000 if the state approves eliminating personal property taxes in phases.

The legislature is looking very closely at that possibility during the 2013 session.

Last year the district cut 11 paraprofessionals, 25 percent Supplemental from its supply budget and levy meetings 50 percent from equipment Monday, Feb. 25, funding.

7 p.m., at the Teton TSD records from its 2012School District 13 budget indicate local funds Office boardroom, 445 N. Main, cover about $2,800 per child Driggs of the overall $7,059.83 the district funds per child.

Monday, March 4, According to the district’s 7 p.m. at Victor Main Summary Points report Elementary on the budget, the increase in the supplemental levy request from $2.6 million to $3.1 million includes the board considering an estimate of $537,000 in cuts, along with $463,000 in increased revenue and a cushion of $37,000 to adjust for other cuts if needed, to meet an anticipated budget shortfall of about $1 million.

The board has not decided to make any of these cuts to these specific programs. According to the district Web site, tsd401.org, information was developed by the administrative team, with the following directives and assumptions: 1. make the cuts as far from the classroom as possible 2. focus on essentials and priorities, not just great programs

Poachers

Teton School District General Fund budgets $12,857,838 $12,771,867 $12,574,162

$13 million $11,967,195 $11,465,856

$12 million

$10,775,984

$11 million $10 million $9 million

$8,627,053

$8 million $7 million $6 million $5 million $4 million $3 million $2 million $1 million

‘06-’07

‘07-’08

‘08-’09

‘09-’10

‘10-’11

‘11-’12

‘12-’13

TVN infographic/Amy Birch, Source: U.S. Census Bureau, From Stateimpact.npr.org

Note: The budgets for ‘09-10 and ‘10-11 include temporary federal funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

3. everything is open for consideration 4. assume that state funding will be the same for next year 5. assume student enrollment will be the same for next year 6. prioritize by what benefits the most students, and what is outside the classroom and regular school calendar 7. hope for a balance of cuts and revenue, not just all cuts Below are the proposed cuts for the 2013-14 school year. These are just a first run at solutions and the list is not all-inclusive, said Nola Bredal, board vice chairwoman, at the Feb. 11 board meeting.

“No matter what we cut we impact students’ academic lives,” she said. “It’s about academics, being ready to compete in a global economy with one million less dollars.

I’m not sure how we’re going to do that.”

• • • • • • • • •

Eliminate Summer School: $45,000 Reduce Extracurricular activities: $10,000 Eliminate Yellowstone program: $23,000 Eliminate field trips: $10,000 Eliminate winter sports: $3,000 Reduce substitutes: $5,000 Reduce classroom supply budgets: $5,000 Eliminate the half-day Kindergarten bus: $5,000 Reduce Kindergarten to half day or consider fee for full day: $100,000

continued from A1________________________ possession of wildlife. His fines and around Driggs and elk spotted near fees totaled $2,667.50, no license the transfer station. revocation, jail time or probation, There have been incidents of feed she said. deprivation, and IDFG loans panels The mule deer was killed on the to ranchers to cover up their hay, Brown property on the north end of said Wendt. the county along the rim of Teton Those with concerns regardRiver Canyon, said Wendt. ing poaching should contact the In a separate incident, James D. Citizens Against Poaching Hotline Fullmer of Tetonia reportedly told at 1-800-632-5999. conservation officers he had taken TVN en Español a gray wolf near Squirrel Creek in Un sospechoso en una investigación Fremont County without a tag. de una supuesta caza de pato ilegal “But, he didn’t admit to break- apuntó su escopeta al oficial de minising the law,” said Fullmer’s defense terio de caza y pesca de Idaho que attorney, Faren Eddins. lo denunció por la violación. Lauren Wendt said he was charged with Wendt, un oficial de conservación del two trapping violations, hunting Departamento de pesca y caza de without the tag and unlawful pos- Idaho, dijo que estaba patrullando el día 16 de noviembre cuando se session of a wolf carcass.

His case is due to be heard in encontró con señales de vehículos en Fremont County. Wendt said he propiedad privada cerca del Puente de Nickerson sobre el río Teton. Wendt faces misdemeanor charges on each dijo que llamó al propietario y le habló count and a $400 civil penalty for acerca de si el dueño había concedido possessing the wolf carcass. permiso de cazar allí. Cuando le dijo Wendt said an infraction citation que no, Wendt “ caminó a través de la was recently issued to a dog owner nieve” hasta donde se encontró con whose animal was tracking wildlife. dos sospechosos que habían estado She said those who recreate with supuestamente cazando patos en their dogs should keep them under la propiedad privada y quienes no control, and residents should be tenían permisos para la caza del aves aware that winter trail and forest migratorias. El sopechoso, Seth T. Mills access closures sometimes include de Driggs, presuntamente apuntó su escopeta a Wendt. En ese momento, all entry, motorized or otherwise. dijo Wendt, ella mostró su arma y le Other recently-reported inci- mandó bajar su escopeta, “que en dents include snow machine opera- última instancia hizo.” Wendt dijo que tors chasing deer. Otherwise, things estaba dispuesta a disparar porque no have been “pretty quiet” regarding tenía ninguna otra opcion. wildlife in the region. There have been good snow conditions for animals, she said, with deer hanging

Spuds

• Eliminate five snow days: $205,000 • Eliminate one paraprofessional position per building: $126,000 Previous district cuts include 25 percent to supply budgets; 50 percent to equipment budgets, 10 percent in extracurricular activities including coaching positions and additional games, and one part-time teacher.

Considerations continue on where to find cost savings.

The district will also realize an $800,000 savings over 20 years due to bond refinancing.

Supplemental levies require a majority of 50.1 percent of the vote to pass.

TVN en Español El distrito escolar de Teton falta fondos para seguir financiando todos los programas. El superintendente del distrito, Monte Woohlstenulme, y los socios del la junta del distrito puso la culpa en las decisiones del gobierno estatal de Idaho. En 2006, Idaho cambio los impuestos que financian las escuelas de impuestos sobre la propiedad a impuestos sobre la venta, según Doug Peterson, el presidente de la junta. El problema es que los impuestos sobre la venta no son fuentes estables de financiación y en 2008 la economía entreo en recesión. Desde 2007 el distrito has recuperado los fondos perdidos por un por un exacción fiscal sobre propiedad específicamente para el distrito escolar. En esta manera los impuestos sobre propiedad siguen financiar la educación. Renovar la exacción fiscal para las escuelas se pondrá antes los votantes en Marzo.

continued from A1_____________________________________________

to sell to the markets of the old world.

To more permanently address the problem of the limited American market, local growers hope to penetrate other international markets. Esplin and Jeremy Arnold, Dennie Arnold’s son, visited Mauritius and Nicaragua in December. In Mauritius, Jeremy Arnold and Esplin met with the US Ambassador on the island and toured the local potato farms.

They also took orders for seed potatoes. In March, Jeremy Arnold is making a sales call in Thailand. When he returns, the Arnold farm will be preparing to plant its first rows of seed potatoes for Mauritius and the other new international markets.

According to Esplin, rapid development in Brazil and Thailand opened up the countries to American potato farmers. As they move up the development and industrialization ladder, the Thailandese are eating more and more potato chips and need the raw potatoes to keep up with demand. The country mostly imports from Europe and Canada right now Esplin said, but the United States is better situated with shipping routes to supply Thailand with spuds. The Asian market is the easiest of the international markets for Teton Valley to send its products to, partly because already high traffic to the region makes ocean containers more readily available.

In the Congo, however, the fruit of Teton seed potatoes will improve the country’s basic food supply. William Pruznesky, the executive director of The International Partnership for Human Development, an NGO based in Virginia, said the organization has been feeding school children in the Congo for years with potato flakes and other staples from the United States Department of Agriculture.

IPHD works with the USDA’s international aid programs. The few real potatoes that enter the country came mostly from Europe, he said. Now the government has turned about six abandoned farms over to the IPHD and wants to start the country’s own potato crop.

He also connected with Esplin who made the arrangements to get Teton seed potatoes to the African country.

Individually, the international markets are small, Esplin said, but together they add up to significant sales prospects for local farmers. Diversifying their markets will also make growers less dependant on the ups and downs of the local economy.

Despite the flat line in demand, potato prices were good in recent years inspiring farmers to plant more acres in potatoes instead of diversifying their crops into alfalfa or other cereals, Fred Dormeyer, Teton Seed Marketing Association, said.

“The best cure for good prices are good prices,” according to Ben Eborn, Extension Agent at the University of Idaho Extension Office in Driggs said.

The recent price drop proved the adage true.

Prices are 50 to 60 percent off from what they were last year, according to Dormeyer. Instead of selling for $12 to $14 a hundredweight, seed potatoes are going for $7.50 to $9.50. Fresh potatoes, which have typically sold for $6.50 to $9 a hundredweight, can hardly bring in $3 a hundredweight this year. It costs more to produce potatoes right now than farmers will get for them at market.

But growers in Teton Valley have the hope that the force of the international economy will boost potato prices in the near future.

104 YEARS

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Teton County mulls layoffs

Bridget Ryder TVN staff What was scheduled as a work meeting between the Board of County Commisiners and Angie Rutherford, county planning administrator and Curt Moore, county planner, turned into Chairman Kelly Park and Commissioner Sid Kunz asking the two county employees if they have enough work to justify their positions.

“I think we’re definitely going to have to look at some layoffs,” Park said Monday.

“There are eight houses being built right now. Are we overstaffed?”

“Have you looked at the budget?” Commissioner Kathy Rinaldi asked.

She estimated that the department’s budget was a third of past fiscal allotments and that it had fewer staff members. She objected to shrinking the department.

“Planning is where everything starts in the county,” she

said.

She also acknowledged that there are people in Teton County opposed to planning.

Parks said that he relied heavily on his experience as a small business owner and comparisons with other counties such as Fremont. He has had to let go of his eight employees since the bust and wondered, “if other counties are doing more with less.”

“I think we have to look at us,” Rinaldi said.

Park said he was not trying to pick on the Planning and Zoning Department. He would be looking at layoffs in all departments, they just happened to be the first department to be examined.

Rutherford and Moore said they had plenty to do.

“I have not worked a 40-hour week,” Rutherford said.

She usually works more, she clarified.

“There’s long range projects

Doug Lindley/Idaho State Journal

Dewey a state champ

Jesse Dewey of Teton throws Porter Thomas of Snake River in their semi-final match at the 195 lbs. class Friday afternoon at the Holt Arena in Pocatello. Dewey won the match and went on to claim the state championship in his weight class in the 3A division. See story page A12

Layoffs continued on A12

Students sound off on extracurricular cuts

Meet the panel From left:

Megan Sanabia, 18, of Driggs, is a Teton High School senior. She’s done cross country, track, choir, band, and participates in high school rodeo.

Edna Diaz, 15, a sophomore from Driggs, has been a Teton cheerleader since she was in seventh grade, including Redskins varsity cheerleader for the past two years.

Diaz is also in the THS Ambiance Choir, and is a member of the Latino Club.

Mike Parri, 17, a THS senior, is from Victor. Parri did crosscountry and is soccer captain He’s participated in Quiz Bowl, track, music and belongs to the NHS. Sam Matelich, 18, of Tetonia, is a senior at THS. Matelich participated in debate and has been in Quiz Bowl, “which is like my favorite thing I’ve ever done.” He was also in the THS Business Professionals of America program.

Parker Johnston, 18, is a senior at THS, also from Victor.

Jason Clark, 17, a senior at Johnston was in debate for 2.5 THS, is from Victor. Clark played years and was captain of the basketball all four years and is a team last year. He’s done National Honor Society member. He’s a huge supporter of Quiz Bowl for two years, has been in the music departTHS programs as a spectament and did a year of tor including volleyball, Yearbook. footbal, baseball games and music.

Although all but Diaz are seniors, and budget cuts, if they Supplemental come, won’t take effect until after Part four in a series on school levy meeting they graduate, “the things I liked funding Monday, the most about the school are the March 4, 7 Six Teton High School stuextracurriculars they’re thinking p.m. at Victor dents shared their thoughts on Elementary about cutting,” said Parri. “I feel the school’s extracurricular activlike that’s an important part of ities and potential for at least just getting through school and some of those to be cut in 2014 making those connections you due to budget constraints. can’t get just in the classroom, Students who participated in the informal and learning how to socialize beyond a roundtable Feb. 22 include: learning environment.”

• Jason Clark, 17, a senior at THS, from But Matelich said he thinks of school Victor more on the academic side.

“I’ve actually looked at how much this • Edna Diaz, 15, a THS sophomore would cut. It’s a little over 3 percent of our from Driggs current extracurricular budget,” Matelich • Parker Johnston, 18, a senior who lives said. “The way I see it, that’s not a huge deal in Victor if it’s going to help us survive, if it’s going • Sam Matelich, 18, also a senior, from to help us get through with a better educaTetonia tion for the following years. It’s worth it.”

But, said Johnston, for many students, • Mike Parri, 17, a senior from Victor • Megan Sanabia, 18, a THS senior Students continued on A13 from Driggs Ken Levy TVN Staff

I n d e x Weather....................... A3

Puzzle...........................B7

Letters......................... A5

Classifieds.................. B16

Valley Views................ A5

Service Directory.......A14

Community News....... A8

Legals......................... B18

Calendar.....................B10

Find us on the web @ t e t o n vall e y n e w s . n e t

104 YEARS

Teton Valley News - February 28, 2013 - Page A13

Expedition Yellowstone, Teton Science School take students afield Ken Levy TVN Staff

Photos courtesy Megan Bybee

Fifth grade students in Rendezvous Upper Elementary School trek into the woods in Granite Canyon with Teton Science School leaders to study tree and plant communities and winter wildlife habitat.

Fifth graders at Rendezvous Upper Elementary School are getting a taste of practical, handson experience through extracurricular field experiences in either Expedition Yellowstone or excursions with the Teton Science School.

Bybee The latter brought a class of fifth graders together with leaders from the TSS at the school’s Kelly Campus in Jackson Feb. 4-8 for classes and firsthand experiences exploring the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, said Megan Bybee, RUES principal.

Students did their exploring in Coyote Canyon, Blacktail Butte and Granite Canyon and stayed in dorms at the TSS campus.

Among their training, youngsters explored the plant communities of aspen, pine, alpine sage and riparian and how they interact.

Bybee said the students used science projects and hypotheses to determine how snowpack depth differs in each community, such as pine versus aspen. Those projects included digging pits to measure for depth and why the snow was as deep as it was in each.

For instance, snow could be shallower in the tree communities, but also could be shallow in the sagebrush since there is nothing to block wind.

Students also learned about how animal communities adapt to the often-harsh winter conditions in the GYE. They studied tracks, scat and other evidence of what animals need to survive, including, for example, how hoofs help elk and deer dig into and under the snow for food.

They studied geology, including glacial features, and weather.

Both Expedition Yellowstone and the TSS program help meet Common Core State Standards of education in Idaho, which, among other things, require more practical applications of knowledge in real life settings, Bybee said.

Both programs focus on writing and emphasize the scientific process, she said. Students question, observe, collect and interpret data, develop charts and graphs to see trends in their research, practice critical thinking and apply the knowledge they’ve gained from the experience to predict, assume and refute data.

Kids also get lessons in responsibility. In the TSS program, even though food is served in a cafeteria format, youngsters are responsible for preparation, serving, cleaning and dishwashing. In both, they take on responsibility for themselves, being away from home and making sure they’re prepared for the day.

That responsibility also includes taking ownership of the program by helping with fundraising. In this case, that means the upcoming Day of Reading with an asyet-unnamed author and a writer’s workshop March 4.

Students also fundraise with a Read-a-thon, where they get pledges of donations per page read or get a flat donation from family and friends.

This year’s program was offered at no charge to families, Bybee said. The future of the program could be in trouble, since extracurricular activities are among those being considered for budget cuts.

The Teton Valley Education Foundation and PTO help support the programs as well.

Rather than see the programs cut entirely, “just cut district support and let us fundraise more,” said Bybee.

District: Nothing new planned for use of levy funds Ken Levy TVN Staff No new programs will be developed at the Teton School District should voters reauthorize a two-year levy that has grown by a half-million dollars.

Parents and others questioned TSD officials Monday why it created full-day kindergarten and developed Rendezvous Upper Middle School following the successful 2011 renewal of a then $2.6 million supplemental levy.

Aaron Driggs said the district got full-day kindergarten and RUES after voters were told the 2011 levy renewal was needed just to maintain the status quo.

The state, he said, didn’t end up cutting as much as anticipated from the TSD budget.

Students

Driggs said he’d be willing to pay for an accountant, or work with the district himself, to figure the numbers more solidly than “’we need this amount, we think.’”

Monte Woolstenhulme, TSD superintendent, said figuring the next district budget is based on best available data without hard numbers and “feels like [being] on quicksand.”

That’s because the district doesn’t yet know what state funding will be, whether eliminating the personal property tax for business will pass the legislature, whether the federal government will go into sequestration, or what district enrollment will be during the upcoming fiscal year.

He welcomed Driggs or anyone else who may have ideas on how to deal with the shortfall to speak with him or Kimber

Lundquist, TSD business manager. than a month’s worth of backup funding, and Full-day kindergarten was already under the potential of a $90,000 loss in revenue if consideration before the levy renewal came the state passes revocation of the personal up, said Woolstenhulme, and was extremely property tax for businesses, the district still popular with parents. faces more than $500,000 in cuts even if the The creation of RUES was driven by the levy passes voter muster March 12. need to consolidate and better use existWoolstenhulme, in an email, said the ing buildings. Overcrowding at Victor supplemental levy request is about $1 milElementary School helped drive that effort, lion less than if the state had left school he said. The discussion and usage of school funding based on local, automatic mill levies. facilities was ongoing through the 2010-11 The state, in 2006, transferred funding to school year, and reviewed at most of the sales tax under then-Governor Jim Risch, board meetings. he said.

This year’s renewal request, at $3.1 mil“Property taxes are not fair,” said lion, is being sought because the district has Woolstenhulme, at Monday’s informational drawn down its reserves, and used previous meeting regarding the supplemental levy levy funds, to keep staff, salaries and pro- renewal. He indicated property owners grams intact, said Woolstenhulme. with renters would probably increase rents With district reserves approaching less to pick up the difference, “not just eat it.”

continued from A1_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

participating in extracurricuAthletics should have lar activities is their motivaprecedence in being saved, Just the presence tion for going to school.

Johnston said. But Matelich “If we take away those, it said he’d rather see the cuts of an athletic kind of takes away the incenin athletics before any cuts event strengthens tive [for those students] to might come into academics. bonds between come to school,” he said.

He rues the possibility of cuts Diaz said “it’s not a good to the Quiz Bowl. students and idea” to cut athletic programs Academic extracurricucommunity. That’s because those are key motivalar programs are “already beneficial in the tions to keep her grades up. running on pretty little Good grades are a prerequicompared to the athletic,” long run. site to participating in extraMatelich said. ______________ curricular activities, she said.

“Just the presence of an For Matelich, the big picathletic event strengthens Parker Johnston ture of the potential 3 percent bonds between students cut is that changes may not and community,” Johnston even be visible. With that argued. “That’s beneficial in reduction across the extrathe long run.” curricular board, “we might Clark said he’d much see a [few] dollars in each program go.” rather see cuts in extracurricular activities For others, it’s a matter of prioritizing. than academics, but agreed that extracurFor example, Johnston said he doesn’t see riculars are a “huge part of developing social the necessity of the band going to Denver or skills and responsibility.”

Salt Lake City, “driving five hours, renting Clark played basketball all four years a shuttle bus.” and is a member of the National Honor Diaz, who sings in the Ambiance Choir, Society. He’s also a huge supporter of THS said that while going to music workshops is programs as a spectator including volleyball, a good way to meet people by traveling to football and baseball games and watching other schools, the district should consider and listening to musical performances. cutting those if they get too costly.

Sanabia said she’s seen her younger Although music is very important to brother “really progress as a person and her — she wants to enroll in a performing step out there with his sports teams, and arts college in New York — she believes that’s really made him friends and really those workshops should be cut before other matured him. I’d hate to see kids not be academic programs. able to do that.”

“But don’t cut [music] classes,” she said.

Potential cuts in winter sports “are just

pocket change in the grand scheme of college for their sports ability, said Sanabia, things,” said Johnston. “It’s only $3,000 and “it’s important that we can really help out of a half million cut we’re going to them get [those] with our teams.” have to make.”

Diaz agreed. Some students, she said, “Eventually, though, it does add up,” take athletics more seriously than their edusaid Parri. cation, while the opposite is true for others.

Matelich indicated winter sports aren’t “I’d much rather see tightening in every as popular as others, especially in the senior budget, just a few dollars, than see anything class. cut,” said Parri, “because I “If it’s a program that kids know every program has aren’t utilizing and it’s not influenced and positively I’d much rather popular, then $3,000 outaffected some students, at weighs the program itself,” least one.” see tightening in he said.

TVN en Español every budget, just “Winter sports take Los estudiantes dejan oír su a few dollars, than away from academics,” said voz acerca de los cortes en Johnston. “It cuts the day in see anything cut, actividades extracurriculares. half that we could be devotSeis estudiantes compartieron because I know ing to school.” sus opiniones acerca de los every program If class times are cut recortes presupuestos para el because of winter sports, año 2014. Para algunos estuhas influenced and “we don’t get through a lot, diantes, la participación en positively affected actividades extracurriculares and a lot of times you feel es una forma de motivación some students, at like nothing gets done,” said para la asistencia de algunos Matelich. least one. estudiantes mientras que para Johnston said in the mid______________ otros es una perdida de tiemdle school, winter sports cut po, como Winter Sports, aun-

class times to 20 minutes or Mike Parri que solo cuesta $3000 y es una so, and a lot of classes are a cantidad pequeña comparada lot less productive than they con otras actividades. could be.

Sam Matelich dijo, “Si nos va a Sanabia said she has wonayudar a salir adelante y seguir derful memories about parobteniendo la educación que ticipating in programs in elementary and ahora recibimos, vale la pena.” middle school and would rather see cuts at Por: Arely Baez & Andy Bocardo the High School go toward those programs.

A lot of kids get scholarships to go to