Sixth-graders to move to middle school under new building configuration for Saline Area Schools
Sixth-graders in the Saline school district will be moving to Saline Middle School next year, with fourth-graders moving to Heritage School, under the district’s new building reconfiguration plan.
The Saline Board of Education voted 6-1 Tuesday evening to make those changes, which are expected to save the district about $800,000. Nearly 200 people attended the meeting.
“This is not one building against another,” Trustee Lisa Slawson said. “It’s simply about economic survival. I hate this.”
The district faces a budget deficit of $4.2 million, forcing it to close Houghton Elementary School, which currently houses the district’s pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs.
Houghton Elementary School is closing.
Photo courtesy of Saline schoolsÂ
The plan approved Tuesday was one of three considered by the district’s Reconfiguration Committee.
Currently, Harvest, Pleasant Ridge and Woodland Meadows elementary schools house grades one through four, while Heritage School contains the district’s fifth and sixth grades. Saline Middle School holds seventh and eighth grades, and Saline High School has grades nine through 12.
Under the new configuration, Harvest, Pleasant Ridge and Woodland Meadows will hold kindergarteners through third-graders, and pre-kindergarten programs will be distributed throughout them.
Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services Steve Laatsch said the Reconfiguration Committee recommended this option because it provided the most flexibility for the schools. It also saves the district an additional $200,000 beyond the $600,000 in savings all three plans provided, he said.
A second option included adding kindergarten to Harvest, Pleasant Ridge and Woodland Meadows and leaving the other schools the same. Option three moved the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs to Harvest, while changing Woodland Meadows, Pleasant Ridge and Heritage schools to house grades one through five and moving sixth graders to the middle school.
“We feel like this is a very solid plan,” Laatsch said. “We feel like we’re going to have a great school moving forward.”
Option one will also put fifth-graders - currently on the later, secondary school time schedule - on the earlier elementary school schedule. Laatsch said that balances out the student bus distribution, which will save $90,000.
Laatsch said consolidating all fourth grade classes into one building will also reduce the number of sections, which is expected to save $75,000.
Though some parents expressed concern about moving sixth-graders into the middle school, Laatsch said the plan will keep sixth-grade classrooms self-contained and will include a recess period. He said the district will use money from its sinking fund to create an age-appropriate recess space with a paved court and fields for sixth-graders to play on.
In addition to reconfiguring the buildings, the school board voted to implement an activity fee for all extra-curricular school activities. Starting next year, high school students will have to pay one $40 flat rate to participate in any or all activities - such as the drama club, German club or student council. Middle school students would pay $20 to participate. Co-curricular activities such as DECA and VICA are exempt.
Slawson was the only board member to vote against the measure.
“I don’t think we should be solving our budget problems on the backs of our students and parents,” she said.
Board of Education President David Friese said scholarships would be available for families that struggled to pay the fee.
Many parents and teachers shied away from commenting after the meeting, but seemed disappointed by the board’s decisions.
John Mason, who coordinates the district’s music program, said he was concerned about the fate of the fifth-grade instrumental program, but is now optimistic.
“I think it was a fair decision,” he said. “All plans have pros and cons, but I think we can make this work for the music program.”
Parent Christine Eberts was let down by the changes.
“I’m disappointed to get rid of a fifth and sixth-grade program that’s proven to work so well,” she said. “It’s just a lot of changes.”
Erica Hobbs is a reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reacher her at 734-623-2537 or via e-mail at ericahobbs@annarbor.com.
Comments
sas parent
Wed, Mar 10, 2010 : 5:29 p.m.
Housing grades 6-8 in a middle school is a very common building configuration (as when I attended middle school in the 70's--not in Saline), not a big deal. Regardless of what the SEA has or hasn't done, this configuration would have needed to happen in the near future anyway. If those complaining attended the board meeting last night, they would have heard that 6th graders will be "contained" just as they were at Heritage. They will be near the main office, there will be no multi-level classes or sharing of lunch periods. Parents of 6th graders need to take a deep breathe and realize this grade configuration has been done before (successfully) and that we no longer have the luxury of having a building dedicated soley to grades 5-6. Saline (the community) in general has a very hard time adapting to new ideas. I think everyone needs to give this a chance. And, Saline parents need to shed their "helicopter" parenting style. It's a detriment to their children becoming self sufficient and learning how to deal with life's curveballs.
klac1977
Wed, Mar 10, 2010 : 5:17 p.m.
My child is a student in Saline and I'm not concerned at all about putting 6th graders in the same school with 7th and 8th graders. When I went to school in Saline, not all that long ago, that's what the middle school was - 6th through 8th grades. There was a separation, however, and this article eludes to the fact that a separation will also take place with this new change. When I was in middle school the 6th grade classes were all on one side of the school and the 7th & 8th grade classes on the other. We took our lunches at different times and I really don't even remember there being much, if any, mingling between the 6th graders and the older students. When I was a kid, in Saline, k-5 was in a school, 6-8 in another and 9-12 another...things seemed just fine. To be honest, I think the worst age to have kids together is 9th grade and 12th grade...freshman still seem so impressionable to me and seniors seem like Gods when you're a freshman...but I don't think there will ever be an option to separate those grades. We're going to have to make some type of change to help this situation out and I think this sounds like a pretty good start.
Ram
Wed, Mar 10, 2010 : 2:27 p.m.
Hey everyone I heard about this new website for the Saline Community... www.salineforum.com. I suggest all Saline community members go check it out. We're all upset but we don't seem to have anywhere to go, lets try getting a real discussion going.
Happy Puppy
Wed, Mar 10, 2010 : 1:37 p.m.
I think this is the best plan and commend everyone on the committee, Mr. Laatsch and Mr. Graden. Sixth graders will be fine. I have complete confidence in Mr. Raft to keep every child safe. Also I don't have a problem paying for activities, we did this in my school back in the 80s - nothing was free.
timeatwork
Wed, Mar 10, 2010 : 1:22 p.m.
money aside, there is no problem with 6th graders being in with 8th graders. my school used this model, with zero problems. let your kids grow up.
onlinejoey
Wed, Mar 10, 2010 : 12:48 p.m.
The teachers don't even pay $50.... that is the support staff, who actually care about the district and who have taken concessions. The administration did too. The Saline teachers need to understand where this is going. I will support the Board and Superintendent all the way on this issue. Sadly, many teachers in Saline will have to go because the SEA leadership wants to act like it's 1998. Let the pink slips begin. Heck, online math doesn't sound so bad right now.
GoblueBeatOSU
Wed, Mar 10, 2010 : 12:17 p.m.
nice savings...if Saline does save this $800k then it is a good move. However, to solve the problem Saline Schools need to deal with those way over the top benefits. What was the number? I believe family medical is costing a Saline teacher $50/month. I don't know anyone with that kind of benefit anymore...well..except Saline teachers. If the school doesn't adjust those benefits there will be a huge shortfall in the budget...and that will mean even more lost jobs and a greater impact to the kids than putting 6th through 8th grades together.
BTPud
Wed, Mar 10, 2010 : 11:24 a.m.
"Option one will also put fifth-graders - currently on the later, secondary school time schedule - on the earlier elementary school schedule. Laatsch said that balances out the student bus distribution, which will save $90,000." Actually, the 5th graders are already on the earlier schedule, and will be moving to the later elementary schedule. Heritage and the Middle school start around 8, the elementary schools start around 9. I find it amusing that people are so worried about 6th graders being in the same school as 8th graders. Especially since the grades have only been separated in Saline for about a decade...before then it was 6-8 in middle school. My classmates and I were hardly traumatized by being in the same building as kids that were *gasp* 2 whole years older than us!
SMAIVE
Wed, Mar 10, 2010 : 11:22 a.m.
I agree 'PformerPfizer'. No big surprise how these things come full circle.
Jacob
Wed, Mar 10, 2010 : 10:41 a.m.
Many schools throughout the state use the 6-8th grade model. I think simply because of classes the sixth graders will be isolated enough from the potentially negative influence of the eighth graders. That's a fairly standard model, I have relatives who went to school under that model and they had no issue. $4.2 million deficit is huge, concessions are going to have to be made by everyone. This building switch is only one. The union needs to make cutbacks, and I don't see a problem with a $40 fee for extracurriculars. To make ends meet everyone is going to have to cut something.
PformerPfizer
Wed, Mar 10, 2010 : 9:55 a.m.
"When I was your age..." - Where I grew up, a generation or two before today's youth, Elementary was K-5, Middle 6-8 & High School 9-12. What was Saline "back in the day" and what are other schools ranges for middle school? 6th through 8th in middle school is not a big deal people...
kmz
Wed, Mar 10, 2010 : 9:17 a.m.
This is a horrible idea. At this age, 6th graders should not be mingling with 8th graders. Saline schools aren't exactly what they're made out to be. I know this from experience. As a sixth grader, I was most concerned with Britney Spears (way back then...) and what sort of shoes I had and whether or not they were 'in.' As an eighth grader, I witnessed friends cutting classes, experimenting with drugs, and agreeing to meeting people they met online at Briarwood Mall. Do we really want naive 6th graders exposed to the negative eager-to-please-you-enough-to-fit-in attitude?? Truthfully, the plan where sixth graders were still separate from the older kids was the best. I don't care about the music program, it's not that great anyways. In my day, kids just sat there while Mr. Phillips rubbed his round tummy and we made fun of Mr. Culver. We're ruining innocence to keep violins?
salineparent
Wed, Mar 10, 2010 : 9:03 a.m.
As a parent in Saline, I am very disappointed in this decision. I don't care which schools were closed over others, but more about putting 6th graders in with the 7th and 8th graders. Not a smart move. I know many people feel it's about the money, but now the kids will suffer in many ways. Larger class sizes, fewer offerings, and now moving the 6th graders in with the older kids. No, this doesn't affect my children that much, as my youngest is already past this point. I've just seen from experience how socially this has a negative effect on the kids. I agree with another poster here. We need a school board that will stand up to the union and say "welcome to reality" and have these teachers take their share of the load. Health care? I have to pay 100% of my own insurance for my family. Pension? That's whatever I can scrape up to put away myself. I'm not alone in this. The days of having all the benefits paid for are gone, and this has to be addressed.
failed2conform
Wed, Mar 10, 2010 : 8:55 a.m.
The reality is that this problem will only be solved on the back of the entire SAS community. Pay to play should not bother us, be it athletics or or other extra-curriculars. It seems that many agree the SEA should concede something and it is fair for the rest of us to do the same. The decision announced yesterday also helps, it makes up nearly 20% of the shortfall. Does anybody really think the problem can be solved in one stroke? It seems clear to me that the solution will have many threads requiring help from all sectors of our community. We need to communicate with our leaders and work toward a goal, not point fingers!
InsideTheHall
Wed, Mar 10, 2010 : 8:41 a.m.
The SEA has been and continues to be the elephant in the room. They dominate the budget with salaries and bennies. Until they get off their high horse and make meaningful give backs the efforts to balance the budget WILL continue to fall on parents/students financially. Not only that they will end up paying more and getting less. Ask the young CEO boy how he feels about the SEA after being sacrificed to preserve the "membership". Folks, we need a school board that will stand up to the SEA. Lets face reality here, if you are on the school board you have played ball with the union to get your seat. To keep your seat you have to play ball also. The school board needs independent thinkers who are not "attached" to the vested interests. We need a school board where power is derived from the people.
SalineMom
Wed, Mar 10, 2010 : 8:06 a.m.
I dont think we should be solving our budget problems on the backs of our students and parents, she said. But it is perfectly acceptable to use district employees. Ms. Slawson somehow feels that the athletic "pay to participate" fee is "different", and that is okay. Those pay to participate fees reduce monies that would otherwise come from the general fund. Her "shock" at the stipend amounts is comical, since she has been voting yes on contracts since day one of being a board member.
stunhsif
Wed, Mar 10, 2010 : 8:02 a.m.
So they have come up with 800 K in savings for next year but have another 3.4 million to go. Are we supposed to be impressed with this? All these changes impact the kids and to one degree or another have negative consequences. What is the union going to do to help out? Seeing that roughly 70% plus is attibutable to pay/healthcare and pension costs for the teachers I don't understand this not yet being addressed. But perhaps having two retired public school teachers on the board helps us understand the stone-walling? The teachers say, "It is all about the kids" but the truth is, "It is all about them and their fat cat programs".