By Emily Hoffman
    The Wauneta Breeze
    
     The Wauneta-Palisade school board voted to approve a resolution to reduce the elementary staff for the 2005-2006 school year.
     In an effort to deal with the $250,000 to $300,000 shortfall in next year's state aid, the board agreed with Superintendent Charles Isom, that combining elementary classes and cutting teachers makes the most sense.
     "Politically, it's the easiest thing to do," said Isom at Monday's regularly scheduled board meeting.
     Isom's plans at this point are to RIF (reduction in force) four elementary teachers, and maintain a kindergarten in both Wauneta and Palisade. Isom noted there is the possibility that up to 20 children may begin kindergarten at WP in the upcoming school year.
     Further restructuring includes combining classes. Both attendance centers will combine first and second grades into one class, and third and fourth grades into one class.
     Isom noted that he's had three meetings with a focus group of area community members concerning the situation at WP to receive input, and this is the suggestion they felt the most feasible at this time.
     "They agree and understand," said Isom of the group's reaction to cutting staff. "Elementary is the one area that they know needs to be addressed."
     Though a crosssection of people in the district were contacted by Isom to be a part of the group, only between six to nine people attend the meetings. Most of those involved are Palisade residents, according to Isom.
     Isom and Rod Ready, WP principal, will meet to discuss the teacher situation as soon to allow those teachers RIFed as much time as possible to find other positions.
     WP board member Don Suda asked how much money the district would save by reducing the staff.
     "Ballpark, around $200,000," said Isom, noting that depending on individual salaries, teachers cost the district about $50,000 to keep on staff.
     Isom said he would encourage staff that have the option to take early retirement do so, and that non-tenured staff may get non-renewals on their contracts.
     Letters to those staff being RIFed must be sent by April 15, but Isom hopes to make decisions much sooner to be fair to the teachers and allow them to make decisions about the upcoming school year.
    
    Other business
     The board re-elected all the current officers that were currently serving on the school board. Beth Padilla remains president, Stuart Bartels, vice president, Kelly Egle, treasurer and Jon Anderjaska, secretary.
     The school board reviewed several policies involving special education. This is part of an ongoing process to update WP school policies and make their language current.
     Isom discussed the upcoming school board workshop scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 18. Marge Beatty will attend and give the members a session on strategic planning. No action will be taken at that meeting.
     Isom informed the board there would be a late start on Jan. 26, as the staff will work on their school improvement plan (SIP).
     Ready noted that they are in the second year of a five year SIP cycle. "I'm hoping that by the end of this year we'll have target areas, goals and an action plan" for the school, said Ready.