In July, the City of Guthrie provided Guthrie Public Schools (GPS) a “life preserver” by allowing them from not to lose three teaching positions. At Tuesday’s city council meeting, council members got to meet the teachers they helped bring to Guthrie.
Superintendent Dr. Mike Simpson first addressed the council by saying, “I want to offer appreciation on behalf of Guthrie Public Schools for what the City took action on with regard to some funding issues we have dealt with that has been a crisis proportion.”
Like the majority of the state’s public schools, GPS has faced strict budget cuts and personnel reduction. To help elevate some of the stress, the council voted to fund three School Resource Officers (SRO) for the 2016-17 school year. In addition, GPS was granted a reduction (at cost) in water and wastewater expenses. Related article: City council provides “life preserver” for Guthrie Public Schools
The council decision is expected to save the school district approximately $140,000, which is equivalent to three teaching positions.
Simpson explained with the three teaching positions, classroom sizes decreased in the second, third and fourth grades from what they were going have to be.
Before the teachers were hired, the average second grade classroom size was going to hold 29.3 students. With an added second grade teacher it dropped to 26.4 per class.
In third grade classroom size went from 27 students down to 24.3 and in fourth grade down from 30 to 26 students.
“The goal was to increase the opportunity for literacy of our students and that is why we targeted second, third and fourth grade. We are hopeful that we can fulfill our goal,” Simpson said.
Simpson introduced the three teachers in attendance, including Sandra Onley, Elizabeth Harris and Lori Braid.
Joining the teachers in attendance were principals Marsha Todd and Susan Davidson. Also in attendance for the school district was Executive Director’s Doug Ogle and Carmen Walters and school board member Terry Pennington.
“The action this city council took was tremendous assistance to us as a community. We sincerely appreciate the support that you have shown to our school district,” Simpson said in closing. Related article: Superintendent: Guthrie’s greatest cheerleaders
Be the first to comment on "Dr. Simpson thanks city council; classroom sizes down with council decision"