POTOMAC - The future remains uncertain regarding the Friday Explorers program at Potomac School. Parents feel they have little support from the school in trying to sustain a Friday program while the board chair does not feel it is appropriate to allocate limited funds to a program only used by 20 percent of the students.
Parents question where the responsibility lies for figuring out a place for students on Fridays who initially went to Explorers.
Principal Rouse and Board Chair Cliff Vann said, while they have the best interest at heart for the staff and students at Potomac School, they question how the program will be funded.
“Does the Potomac school district have access to enough funds to provide for a Friday program without negatively impacting the quality of the instructional programs available to all students enrolled in the school?” questioned Rouse. “If not, is the Board willing to propose an increase in our general fund levy to our voters in order to generate enough funds to support it?”
The Explorers parent group has tried different approaches. At the February board meeting, parents spoke about their thoughts and ideas and made a presentation to the board and attendees regarding a plan for Fridays next year. They were sent back to the drawing board.
Funding
The program will have no funding when school is out in June since they lost the $60,000 21st Century grant. School board chair Cliff Vann said that money spent on education needs to impact all.
The parent group understands the funding dilemma and realizes there is no extra money available from Potomac School for the program funding. They, however, feel they are getting the “run around” as to even moving forward with a plan.
“We presented a plan to the school board [per their request] that was essentially the exact plan the principal had proposed to the board in December,” said parent Lacey Van Grinsven. Initially, the required information needed from the board was a financial and program outline which was presented at the meeting.
During the meeting, Van Grinsven presented the parent group’s ideas on fundraising and other money making ideas, including an outline for events such as Pioneer Days and music festivals where money collected goes towards the Friday program.
A GoFundMe page was set up online for contributions.
The recently awarded Literacy Grant will provide professional development resources to staff such as instructional teacher coaching. Current fourth grade teacher Abby Stitt will be fulfilling the full time instructional coach position during the grant period.
The parent group questioned if Stitt’s salary would be available to help with Friday program funding. The board has not voted on anything yet.
Rouse did say that over the course of the next three years, the grant does allow the school district to set aside up to five percent of the total grant funds expended to offset indirect costs and some other administrative expenses.
“That means that over the life of the grant there would be approximately $37,500 in savings to the school district’s general fund expenses.” The allocation of those savings is up to the board as part of their budget approval responsibilities.
Vann said the Literacy grant will not impact the viability of the Friday program. It has clearly defined parameters on how funds can be used. Explorers does not fit into the intent of the Literacy grant.
“Any program that benefits only 20 percent of our student population has a tough time competing for funds in a limited budget,” said Vann.
Potomac School is considering reducing the number of teaching positions for the next school year due to decreased funding at the state level.
Rouse said, “We were already planning to offer two combined grade level classes for 2018-19 in order to meet our budget constraints.”
Decreases in student enrollment means a decrease in state funding for the district. Vann thinks Potomac has a good student to teacher ratio now. He questions if student to teacher ratios should be impacted.
With staff changes at Potomac and possibly Rural Education Assistance Program (REAP) benefits available, parents were hopeful the ‘scaled down’ Friday program outline from the granted $60,000 to $12-15,000 annually was feasible.
Parents thought the use of REAP funds, if not spoken for, could pay for an Americorp volunteer during the school week and on Fridays.
According to Rouse, the REAP funds have depended upon the level of Title II funds received by a school district. However, the option for REAP fund usage may have dissolved with the federal government deciding Title II funding is no longer available for public schools.
“Our school district has used REAP funds in the past to cover a variety of expenses that would have had to come out of the general fund if the REAP funds were not available,” said Rouse. “If the REAP funds were to be used to pay for the Explorers program then the school would not be able to fund those supplemental programs that we have been providing for all of our students.”
Van Grinsven said the group felt harassed over fundraising money misusage using the GoFund Me site. Even with funds going directly to the school, they were told that the plan wasn’t good enough or transparent, and that their idea would not bring enough money. The board told the group to come back with a better plan.
Vann hopes the parent group is successful in creating funding sources and wants them to understand the school budget limitations.
“I don’t feel funding this program is an option with our limited budget [since funding the program could cost the school a teaching position]. This has been a difficult point to convey and one that hasn’t been well received,” Vann said.
Options Moving Forward
Rouse feels a quality program available on Fridays would benefit those students who would choose to attend.
“I believe that a program that provides opportunities for students to experience new and challenging learning opportunities does add value,” said Rouse.
Vann agreed. He thinks the Explorers program adds value and enrichment to the school and its students. He also said he thinks a Friday program would be beneficial to students and parents but questions the difference between an Explorers dilemma and Friday childcare.
However, they both question the spending of public funds to benefit approximately 20 percent of the students who attend.
According to Van Grinsven, the board placed all the responsibility on the parents in the January meeting. She hopes they don’t have to go to a child care type situation because daycare is so different and their goals aren’t the same. She feels it doesn’t enrich the children’s education like Explorers does.
“I also feel the quality of education at Potomac is just average if there is no Explorers and I don’t want my kids to have a sub-par education with fewer opportunities,” said Van Grinsven.
Even though Potomac School offers art and music classes as well as electives for upper grades, Van Grinsven said if her children attended a Missoula school, they would be exposed to more opportunities including art and music.
Changing the school structure back to a five-day week has been discussed among parents.
“When the [four day] week was set up, it was with the caveat that there would be Explorers. If they aren’t willing to support Explorers, why can’t we go back to a five day week?” asked Van Grinsven.
Five day week scheduling concerns Vann about the cost of satisfaction to students and staff.
Vann said the four-day week has proven popular with staff and parents alike. “It helps with staff retention when areas like compensation aren’t as strong,” he said.
Vann added that reviving the five day week may be considered by the board and Rouse if an impasse is reached, although they are not at this point yet.
Van Grinsven hopes the board will be supportive and cooperate with the efforts of the parent group.“I’m not sure they realize how special the program is and how it makes our school stand out,” she said.
“We have to be very careful to spend in areas that impact education for all. We had to reduce staffing at the close of 2016. Attracting and retaining effective teachers is my highest priority for impacting education,” said Vann.
Van Grinsven said, “In my involvement with the group of parents attempting to save the Explorers program, I still have many frustrations and questions as to why we as parents are being forced to be responsible for saving a program that regularly provides services to 15-30 percent of the student population.”
Next regular school board meeting is 7 p.m. March 12 at Potomac School. Agenda items include old business like the Friday program and parent group presentation, continued discussion on school safety/armed intruders and a report from that committee, an overview of the general fund and how it is spent.
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