GLENVILLE – Elementary students in Glenville and Emmons could be hitting the road more next year.

Wednesday, January 30, 2002

GLENVILLE – Elementary students in Glenville and Emmons could be hitting the road more next year.

The G-E School board is considering speeding up a reorganization plan that would send all students from the district’s kindergarten through third grade to Glenville, while all the fourth through sixth graders would attend classes in Emmons.

Currently the district has K-6 elementary schools in both communities, with the middle school in Emmons and the high school in Glenville. The reorganization plan is part of the district’s response to declining enrollment.

Originally, the plan was to make these changes over three years, with the reorganization of the elementary schools happening more gradually over the last two years. But if the new proposal is adopted, the three-year plan would turn into two years, and the elementary reorganization would take place by next fall.

As part of the first year of cuts, the district has already reduced its administrative staff.

&uot;We moved the changes up one year. There’s not a lot of difference from before except for the timeline,&uot; said Todd Nelson, Glenville-Emmons school board chairman. The reorganization plan will probably lead to some staff cuts, he added.

Whatever is decided, the emphasis should be on limiting the negative impact on students and education, said Nelson.

&uot;We need to make cuts as far away from students as possible,&uot; he said.

The possibility of reorganization is already creating some unhappy parents and children.

&uot;It’s an extremely difficult decision for the board and for the families of the district. It’s hard for me personally, for my kids,&uot; Nelson said. He has three kids in the district, one of whom would be affected by the plan.

Norma Rasmusson is one parent who isn’t pleased, because she doesn’t see her kids liking the idea and because she isn’t happy about the speed with which the decision is being made.

&uot;For my kids, the first grader is nervous because her big sister (fourth grade) won’t be there next year. If they have somebody else they know there they just aren’t as worried,&uot; she said.

Peggy Williamson, another parent with two kids in the district, thinks that maybe it’s time for an outside committee to look at the district, to make sure that things are fair for families in both communities.

&uot;I know we need to make cuts, but I’m not sure this is the way,&uot; Williamson said. &uot;I don’t how they can justify a school with just four grades.&uot;

Williamson, who moved to Glenville with her husband because there was a school in town, also worries whether the reorganization will eventually lead to the closing of one of the schools.

Although the reorganization plan was discussed, a vote won’t be taken until the next board meeting, on Feb. 19.

&uot;I haven’t made a decision about it yet,&uot; Nelson said. &uot;We need to wait and think about it.&uot;