In response to protest from Holley and Crawfordsville school parents, students and staff members, District 55 School Board Chairman Don Hopkins announced that the schools would not be reorganized next school year.
He cautioned that with deepening funding shortfalls, the subject could arise again.
Hopkins read a prepared statement Monday night at the board’s regular meeting.
“As everyone is acutely aware, public school finance is creating problems all over the state of Oregon,” he said. “We don’t really know what our money situation is going to be next year, but we know we will be about $1 million plus short and we will need to make many cuts.
“The projection for the 2004-05 school year indicates further reduction and then the next year our revenue from the state should be up some. A lot of things are up in the air at this time pending what the legislature does.
“When you have small numbers of students in the building, such as Crawfordsville and Holley, the per-pupil cost is higher. An example is Crawfordsville at an estimated per-pupil cost of $5,376, Holley at $4,685, Oak Heights at $4,177, Hawthorne at $3,952 and Foster at $3,897. You can see the difference in the largest school versus the smallest school at about $1,500.
“This board recognizes the willingness of the staffs, the parents, the students and the communities of Holley and Crawfordsville to contribute not only dollars but time in maintaining their community school.
“We recognize the potential negative effect on the family in terms of having students in two schools and one parent contributing their time to both schools.
“We recognize the concerns for the communities in terms of school closure and the effect that would have on the families, the students and the community.
“A school is like the hub of a wheel where all activities are centered around that hub. What makes a community? A community is made up of people, stores and churches. Holley and Crawfordsville have these elements and a very supportive group of parents and neighbors, which donate hundreds of hours and lots of dollars to make the schools and the students successful in what they do.
“It would be great if the Sweet Home School District was in the financial condition that it used to be when we had all the mills operating and people employed if they so chose. But the fact remains that we are in the worst financial condition we have been, probably ever.
“It is the board’s desire tonight to inform the two communities, Holley and Crawfordsville, that our plan is to maintain Crawfordsville with their current K-6 program and Holley their first- through sixth-grade program.
“However it needs to be known that this is only guaranteed for the 2003-04 school year, and there may be need to be made a number of changes.
“These changes will be determined depending on what the legislature does in terms of school finance, areas recommended to be cut or adjusted by the budget committee and approved by the school board.
“We may see staff changes at each site but will maintain the configuration. There may well be staff changes.
At our meeting last Wednesday, the board was made acutely aware of just how much the parents, students and staff donate in terms of labor and money in providing things the district formerly provided. These were items, such as supplemental reading and math materials, computers, supplies, etc.
“While this, obviously, is not a pleasant task, it is a way that both schools can remain as you have desired, both schools remaining open, K-6 at Crawfordsville and first through sixth at Holley.
“We sincerely hope that the community, staff, students and parents will continue to support our schools through these tough times. The board and superintendent remain open to your continued input, and we look forward to the continued positive working relationship.”