Trustees vote to close Riverside

BONNERS FERRY —Riverside High students will transition to Bonners Ferry High School at semester’s end in January. The Boundary County School District 101 Board of Trustees voted 3-1 on Dec. 6 to move the students and close Riverside High School.

The decision comes in light of Riverside High receiving a One-Star rating under Idaho’s new rating system. In mid-September, the school district was notified of Riverside’s One-Star rating and in November, they were presented with their five options.

By Dec. 14, the school district needs to choose an option so they can start planning and implementing the changes. Supt. Dick Conley said by Dec. 14 one of the things the district has to do is make substantial changes in math for the Riverside students.

The five options were the: transformation model, turnaround model, restart model, school closure and governance partnership model.

“Some models require turning the school over,” said Conley. “I’m opposed to that.”

Board chairman Melanie Staples said the charter school option “was not a good option” because the district would still have to hand over control of the school to an outside entity.

“My concern is how we keep the family together,” said trustee David Brinkman referring to Riverside school. “Find a way to protect teachers.”

“This school means so much to us,” said Christina Hibble, a current Riverside High Student. “I wouldn’

(have) been able to do without this school. Some kids can’t do what others can.”

The decision to close Riverside High School and move the students into Bonners Ferry High School was an “education issue, not a monetary issue,” said Staples. “Have to consider the rest of the district, consider it as a whole.”

“We didn’t set the parameters,” said Jan Bayer, BCSD curriculum director. “Our hands are tied.”

Though significantly smaller, Riverside students will be moving into the empty home economics room at the high school.

The Riverside teachers will be going with the students and teaching their classes.

BFHS Principal Kirk Hoff said adjacent rooms will be available during prep periods for the Riverside High teachers to hold classes in.

“The home economics room is open; the perfect place to go,” said Staples. “They will have more opportunities with professional and technical classes.”

Hoff said the home ec room will like a home-room with some of the same amenities as Riverside High, such as a washer and dryer, a kitchen, shower across the hall, along with two entrances.

“I think it will feel more like down here (Riverside) than it looks,” said Hoff. “It’s an upheaval but its upheaval if we don’t make change.”

“We’re trying real hard to meet their needs emotionally,” said Hoff. “We will find a way to make this work.”

Under the motion to close Riverside School, trustee Lisa Dirks listed caveats of the motion.

They include that the current Riverside Juniors and Seniors maintain their current graduation requirements, freshman and sophomores go under BFHS graduation requirements, students have a content study skills class, Riverside High teachers go with the students to the high school, and that the custodial staff works to close the Riverside High building.

“We ask the board to provide a waiver for juniors and seniors for graduation requirements,” said Supt. Conley. “This makes sure the juniors and seniors are protected as they are already on track to graduate.”

“Our plan is to make sure classes/credits meet,” said Riverside High Principal Ken Olson. “Make it work for all kids.”

“A big concern is staff going with them,” said Bayer. “In reality, we are under strict requirements. We didn’t make up the guidelines.”

Bayer said staff, teachers and administrators will look at each student’s schedule on a case by case basis to ensure they stay on track to graduate.

“Nobody likes change,” said Staples. “It’s been thrown at us and we have to deal with change.”

Ultimately, the decision came down to what was best for the students.

The trustees had to decide between handing over control of the school to an outside educational entity but still being held financially responsible; closing the school and keeping staff with students; or keeping students at Riverside and replacing staff.

“It will take compromise,” said high school teacher Ed DePriest. “These people (the board) are bound by the State. Going to have to give something up. You can’t have it all in life.”