Editor:
I take full responsibility for the controversy that has been generated about the West Elk USD#282 Board of Education action that was taken on June 9, 2008 and the change in the elementary program design that was passed by the Board on July 14.

Those of you that attended the West Elk Public Forum on July 10 or received the letter from the Board of Education that was sent to parents and the press on June 10 were provided the reasons why there was a need to review a short term elementary restructuring plan for the 2008-09 school year. The decline in enrollment continues for the district, and a short term solution was needed based on the 5 open elementary teaching positions.

I want to clarify that the West Elk Board of Education was elected by the public to represent the interests of the school district specific to educating the children of our area communities. They are elected “volunteers” as they receive no compensation for their long hours of service. One of their primary responsibilities is to hire the district’s superintendent, and their second priority is to set the policies for the district. They alone determine the policies by which the district operates based on the recommendation of the superintendent. When four or more members of the Board take a formal action, that action becomes policy.

Each Board member formulates his/her own opinion on policy recommendations based on the information provided by the superintendent. That is why I am taking full responsibility for the controversy that is currently circulating throughout the communities. I recommended to the Board the plan of action I thought was needed for the 2008-09 school year. I based this recommendation on what I thought was in the best interest of the children of the district. Many local patrons protested the Board action that was approved at their June 9 Board meeting. This led to the scheduling of the Public Forum on July 10 and the subsequent action to change the design of the elementary programs taken by the Board on July 14.

It is my responsibility to implement any action that is adopted by the Board. I don’t have to agree with the majority vote; however as the superintendent, I must follow the Board’s policies. I have been in contact with the new principal at the West Elk Junior/Senior High School, Corey Reese regarding setting up a sixth grade classroom. I have also been in contact with Shirley Hugill, the elementary principal for both Moline Elementary School and Severy Elementary School during the 2007-08 school year, and Pam Leiker, the new principal at Severy Elementary School. Shirley has contacted the elementary teachers and made grade level placements based on each teacher’s years of service in the district. The teaching slots for the K-5 elementary classrooms at Severy Elementary and Moline Elementary are being made. We are in the process of obtaining candidates for the combination grade 3 and grade 4 classroom at Severy which is yet to be filled. This district must ensure that each teacher is treated in a fair manner by using their tenure in the district to determine grade level placements. This aligns with Board policies and the Negotiated Agreement.

The Board of Education will soon be meeting with representatives from the Kansas Association of School Boards to discuss concerns and seek a long range plan. I also intend to ask the Board to contract with an independent reviewer to conduct a review of the district, which will include soliciting input from the public. This individual or group will then provide feedback to the Board and the larger community.

This is a time for cool heads and patience. Please assist your elected Board officials by providing a good example for the children of our community. They deserve the best that we can provide. They are watching, listening, and learning how to deal with controversial issues through the behavior and actions of the adults. I am asking you to refrain from making judgments and to open your minds to the options that will be presented in the future. This district is far and away one of the best in the state, and I am asking you to be patient with the Board as they seek a long term solution to the decline in enrollment. Together we can do anything we set our minds to do. Let’s keep the children the top priority, and let’s put this controversy behind us as we begin the new school year!

Bert Moore, Superintendent West Elk USD#282

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