Summer Campbell - Special to the Sun

The ever present issue of declining enrollment dominated the discussion at the South Fork Union School District's February board meeting. The agenda included an informational overview of the newly developed future planning/budget committee. The committee was developed by the South Fork board of trustees in December to develop ideas to combat the financial affects of the projected decline in enrollment. The budget committee had their first meeting in January, and is planning the next meeting on March 25, at 4:00 pm.

Also related to the declining enrollment issue was the board's approval to eliminate certain certificated services, and the approval of a resolution that would enable the board to determine seniority among certificated employees with the same date of service. The board will have to inform some certificated staff that their services may not be economically rational for the 2008/2009 school year in the event that enrollment declines as expected. While some of the certificated staff will be notified of possible termination, there is still a chance that their services will be needed, but the board is required to give possible termination notification, explained Principal/Superintendent Robin Shive. The board along with South Fork staff also determined the criteria that enables the board to resolve the order of termination between employees who first begin paid service from the District on the same date. The resolution approved at the board meeting allows the board to evenhandedly designate the order of employee termination, the criteria approved in the resolution takes into account a teacher's credentialing, experience, competence, evaluations, extracurricular activities, training and special education needs.

The board also approved an item on the agenda that allows the district to partake in a school cash reserve program that will help with cash flow problems that may be incurred in the future due to the state budget changes.

Apart from issues linked to the projected decline in enrollment the board discussed the new art and music block grant that will enable South Fork opportunity teacher Ruth Carroll to develop new art and music curriculum. The art and music program will begin in the fall and will focus on equipping teachers with the skills needed to teach art lessons that meet the state standards.

Shive also mentioned in her principal/superintendent's report that lead was found in some of the Elementary school's old, unused water faucets. Shive reported that all of the faucets, and piping that tested positive for lead have been replaced with new plumbing.

South Fork Union School District will hold their next board meeting on March 11, 2008 at 6:30 pm. in the South Fork Community Center located at the South Fork Middle School.