By Dewey Terrill
JC Post
The Geary USD 475 Board of Education expressed a number of concerns during a Monday evening work session and at times questioned and differed with District staff on topics.
Concerns expressed by members ranged from an increase in administrators in the district from 34 up to 62 over the 10-year period 2007 through the 2017-18 school year to meet needs in new programs created by the district, declining enrollment in USD 475 and whether there may have to be staffing reductions at some point after the upcoming school year. Other concerns ranged from whether USD 475 students are being taught necessary life skills to no substantial increases in student test assessment scores.
In his first work session with the Board the new Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Reginald Eggleston was recommended the District move ahead with the hiring process for a new Early Childhood Coordinator after some board members and staff disagreed on the topic. The BOE vote to move forward was split but the motion passed 4-3. Board president Tom Brungardt said the number of Early Childhood classrooms will be increasing and staff felt the position will be needed. “We might double the size of the program, I think.”
After extensive discussion on multiple issues Eggleston told the Board he wants to bring them a superintendent entry plan after meeting with parents, teachers and community members. He wants to develop three to five goals that the District should look at moving forward. “I do think a comprehensive plan is what’s needed. If we make decisions in isolation we’ll find ourselves repeating some of the same discussions that we’ve been so far. What I want to try do is eliminate some of the concerns and just create some success with making decisions as we move forward.”
Eggleston wants to have a Board of Education retreat at some point.
Members of the community can meet the new superintendent during a reception sponsored by the Geary Community Schools Foundation in partnership with the C.L. Hoover Opera House from 7:30 – 9 a.m. Thursday.