Board agrees to hire teacher at Naples

BONNERS FERRY — Third graders at Naples Elementary won’t be split into two combination classes, a second/third grade and a third/fourth grade, once a third grade teacher is hired.

Parents, teachers and a brave third grade student voiced concerns over the large, 28-student combination classes at Naples Elementary at the school board meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 10.

Parents told of students not feeling challenged, concerns of students not receiving a full education and pulling their children out of Naples Elementary to home school.

“Give the kids in the second, third and fourth grade classes the education they deserve,” said Nadine Colgrove, Naples PTA president.

Naples Elementary isn’t the only school with large class sizes. Mt. Hall Elementary has a kindergarten class with 26 students and a third grade class with 29 students.

Valley View Elementary has two third grade classes with 25 students each. A combination class of third/fourth grade students at Valley View has seven third graders and seven fourth graders.

Supt. Richard Conley presented a list of scenarios to solve the large classroom sizes but said there is no easy answer.

To solve large classes sizes at Naples, suggestions included hiring a third grade teacher, moving the third grade class at Naples Elementary to Valley View Elementary, or moving some Valley View third grade students to Naples Elementary.

At Mt. Hall Elementary, a part-time or full-time aide could be hired for both the kindergarten and third grade class or some of the kindergartners and third graders could be moved to Valley View Elementary.

At Valley View Elementary, the third/fourth grade combination class could be eliminated and merged into the other classes, resulting in class sizes of 24 to 29 students.

The combination class teacher could be moved to Naples to teach third grade or kept at Valley View to fill the open computer lab position.

“You change issues from one school to another,” said Conley. “Can’t make anybody happy.”

Conley also suggested looking at boundaries for each school and requiring those in the boundaries to attend the designated school.

Currently, the district has an open enrollment and students can attend any school in the district, no matter where they live in the county.

Ultimately, Conley stood by his recommendation to hire a full-time third grade teacher at Naples Elementary, despite the financial crunch it may cause next year. When kids are at the school of their choice, it makes a big difference in their attitudes and achievement explained Conley.

Trustee David Brinkman motioned to hire a third grade teacher and Trustee Mike Weland seconded to open discussion.

Weland suggested that hiring a teacher would solve Naples Elementary problem but a full-time aide at both Naples and Mt. Hall schools would be more fair.

Staples agreed it would be more fair and logical to hire aides for the large class sizes and would be less expensive than a teacher. Conley put forth the option of four part-time aides, two at Naples and two at Mt. Hall Elementary.

“I feel like we would lose something,” said Nichele Whittaker, about not hiring a third grade teacher at Naples Elementary. “In the end, it would be worth it for the district. We have a year to figure something else out (about the financial situation).”

Brinkman brought forth the concern of new testing standards being implemented this year and the challenge of a combination teacher handling two grade levels, both needing additional help in preparing for the testing.

Trustee Beverly Krichbaum was hesitant to make a decision at the meeting, saying she wanted time to think about the decision.

“Splitting up combined classes is an essential issue,” said Weland. “A benefit to hire a teacher at Naples. I think that is the way to go.”

Staples called for a role call vote on hiring a teacher at Naples Elementary. Trustees Weland, Whittaker and Brinkman vote to hire a third grade teacher while Krichbaum and Staples voted no.

“We will make it this year but be on thin ice,” said Conley in reference to financing an additional teacher. “Next year, I don’t know what the Legislature will do (for funding).”

Trustee Brinkman encouraged everyone in attendance to contact their legislators and members of JFAC to let them know of the district’s situation and concerns.