$4.3 Million Staffing Plan Given Green Light by Ankeny School Board

After struggling with the possibility of using the district’s savings to pay for new teachers, members approved a $4.3 million staffing plan Monday night for the 2012-13 school year.

The plan will fully staff Prairie Trail Elementary School when it opens in August and also will reduce elementary class size, ensuring there are no more than 25 students in a kindergarten classroom or 27 in first- through fifth-grade rooms.

The plan was approved by a 6-1 vote at the board’s regular meeting Monday night. Board member Stephanie Jorgensen cast the dissenting vote. The approved version was amended from the $4.1 million plan originally presented to the board.

“This plan reflects a significant investment by the board in lowering class size at the elementary level,” said Superintendent Matthew Wendt. “It also is a reflection of the continued commitment to lower at the secondary level as well.”

The amended staffing plan is very similar to the one originally discussed by the board at a March 12 special meeting.

The approved plan includes 35 new full-time positions at the elementary level for a cost of just over $2.5 million, which includes benefits and salary for each staff member.

The plan also calls for just over 19 full-time positions at the secondary level for a total of more than $1.5 million. Finally, the plan includes 15 coaching positions for just over $50,000.

The positions will be paid for through revenue generated by increased enrollment as well as funds from the district’s unspent balance.

Instructional Coaches Come Under Fire

The primary difference is the amended plan cut out two instructional coaching positions, one at each the elementary and the secondary level, but added a hybrid team of four educators at .

The effectiveness of instructional coaches came under fire at the special meeting earlier this month.

“When I was out in the community working to get elected, I heard opinions on instructional coaches,” said board member Dustin Graber at the March 12 meeting. “Do we think these are the best teachers available?”

Board member Todd Shafer said at the March 12 meeting its difficult to pinpoint academic success to instructional coaches.

“I’m not suggesting this right now, but if push comes to shove, I’m willing to take those funds away from instructional coaches to put toward teachers,” Shafer said.

In response, Wendt suggested at the March 12 meeting board members have a conversation about the district’s use of instructional coaches without looking at it as a “bad practice.”

The conversation on instructional coaches will be continued during a June 18 work session.

Most Board Members Support Amended Staffing Plan

At Monday’s meeting, Graber voiced his support for the new plan.

“I think the teachers were asking us to lower class sizes and, as an individual director, I feel it’s important to give students more individual time with their teachers,” he said. “I’m proud of this.”

Board members struggled at March 12 special meeting with the possibility of using the district’s savings to pay for new teachers. They were urged by board member Pat Cahill to independently express their concerns to Board President George Tracy prior to Monday’s meeting.

“I’m grateful to the board members for doing what was asked of them and sending their thoughts to President Tracy so he was aware of everyone’s feelings,” Cahill said. “We worked individually and managed to become a collective.”