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Owosso Public Schools considers sixth-grade moves, elementary changes

By CHRISTINA GUENTHNER, Argus-Press Staff Writer

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 10:27 AM EST

OWOSSO - The Owosso Public Schools Board of Education Monday night discussed a number of cost-saving measures for the 2010-11 school year, including moving all sixth-graders to Owosso Middle School and changing Washington Elementary School to a kindergarten-early learning center.

Superintendent Chris Hammill said the plan, if implemented, would save the district about $750,000 per year.

“We would be saving money while still keeping the quality of services the district has always provided,” Hammill said.

In the plan, Washington would become a kindergarten center with additional early childhood services.

Students who attend Washington would be redistributed to the district's other elementary schools, along with some teaching staff.

“There will be some reduction in staff,” Hammill said. “We are losing students, not to school of choice, but because parents are moving out of state. So, we need to have some reduction in staff.”

All-day kindergarten would be offered at the new center, but not required, Hammill said.

“We have actually had a lot of parents inquire about all-day kindergarten,” he said. “It would provide a full-day option for parents, especially those struggling with day care.”

Meetings for current Washington Elementary parents and any other interested community members have been scheduled to keep parents and community members informed and hear feedback.

On Dec. 3, a meeting for parents of students in grades kindergarten through first is planned 6-7 p.m. and for parents of second- and third-graders from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in Washington's media center.

On Dec. 7, parents of students in grades four and five will meet from 6-7 p.m. and a make-up meeting for all grades is planned 7:30-8:30 p.m. in Washington's media center.

Meetings are also scheduled for parents of current fifth-grade students who could potentially move to Owosso Middle School for their sixth-grade year. Community members are encouraged to attend these meetings as well to provide feedback and ask questions.

On Dec. 9, a Washington parent meeting will be from 6-7 p.m. and a Bryant parent meeting will be from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the OMS auditorium.

On Dec. 16, Emerson parents will meet from 6-7 p.m. and Central parents will meet from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the OMS auditorium.

A fifth-grade Washington parent make-up meeting is planned at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 16 in Washington's gym.

Hammill said parents will be asked to provide feedback about programs that could potentially be relocated to the Washington building, including early childhood programs and alternative education.

He said the Board of Education will make a final decision on all of the changes after the community meetings are held.

“The first step in this process is to talk with our staff and parents,” Hammill said. “We need to maintain the quality programming that our students receive each day and with this state-wide budget crisis, we must explore a variety of options. The administrative team and I are committed to putting kids first and that is the premise of all of these options.”

Comment on this Story

Worry wrote on Dec 4, 2009 6:45 AM:

" Ok. I originally come from Durand Schools. My daughter when entering the Middle School for the first year the transition took place, became a totally different person. I know kids are exposed to drugs wherever they may go, but the middle schools seem to loose track of reality. Children seem to loose morals, respect, and common sense. And let's not forget, the teachers. Will the teachers also be going to the middle school? Or will that burden be given to the already overworked teachers at OMS??? "

Lynnett R Roby wrote on Dec 1, 2009 1:36 PM:

" I'm very upset to hear about this.My daughter goes to washington she's in Mrs.Pettersons 1st grade class.We just found out she has aspurgers sysdrome,maijor anxity,and sensory disorder.She does not do good with change,last yr after kindergartin graduation I found out her two best friends that she has been with sence young fives where going to be in a different class I had to put her in there class.This change would rock her world,this can't happen,she needs this school she loves this school,and the teachers and Mr Perry are great with her.PLEASE DONT CLOSE WASHINGTON SCHOOL. "

hey why not wrote on Dec 1, 2009 8:03 AM:

" this is to "Owosso Resident"
why not put the drop outs from Lincoln with the Kindergarten and Early childhood developement...lol. They all have the same mentality anyways and it would make it so much easier for the young drop out moms to see all their own kids while going to school! Babies having babies in Owosso is the normal and so messed up! "

Owosso Resident wrote on Nov 30, 2009 1:30 PM:

" I certainly hope when they say Alternate Education they do not mean the students from Lincoln. Never should those people be in the same school as Kindergarten and Early childhood developement NEVER!! "

too overprotective wrote on Nov 30, 2009 7:29 AM:

" Get real people! MOST 6th grades in MOST school districts DO go to a TRUE Middle school...its NOT that 6th graders are NOT ready for middle school. They are just not ready for middle school at Owosso. We purposely bought a house in Corunna and moved our kids here to get away from the Owosso "middle school" and they did GREAT here at Corunna...so its just your academic program and lack of real discilpine issues at Owosso schools...hence the dropping enrollements at Owosso and coming to Corunna. Taxpayers must agree to fix whats broken and make all improvements, including academic changes and discipline issues as well. Corunna is very strict and lots of no tolerance policies that have PROVEN to be more effective than Owosso! "

Concerned wrote on Nov 29, 2009 10:18 PM:

" With all the problems Mr. Collins has preventing violence with seventh and eighth grades, do you really think it would be a good idea to bring our very impressionable six grade students into the mess the OMS already has?
I feel our children need that extra year to mature before entering that enviroment. its bad enough they have to go there, but another year earlier and longer there, nope, not for my children. "

Kelly wrote on Nov 29, 2009 1:48 PM:

" I think moving the sixth grade to the middle school, and making Washington a early learning center is a great idea. I will keep my family in Owosso if these positive changes are made. "

Nick wrote on Nov 29, 2009 1:05 PM:

" Make sure you find a new sign guy to waive violent conservative pictures in front of them wherever they go "

Brownie wrote on Nov 29, 2009 12:14 PM:

" To 'What' In these tough economic times, schools need to concentrate on educating our children with the skills they all will need to know to be productive in life. Football, basketball, etc. are not part of those essential skills. If some kids are only staying in school for the sports, shame on them. As for staying out of trouble, leadership and teamwork...there are many charitable organizations in our area who would love to have more volunteers. "

Kelly wrote on Nov 29, 2009 9:07 AM:

" As far as putting the 6th graders in with the 7th and 8th graders... Have you heard how the kids change at 6th grade? They are the ones who should not be on the bus with the kindergardeners. They are to far ahead of them. Swearing and saying things that the little kids shouldn't have to be exposed to. My kids are older now but I noticed that when both of them were that age. Just for the sake of the little ones. There is a big difference between 5th and 6th grade! "

WJ wrote on Nov 28, 2009 7:26 PM:

" Brownie, You must have hash in your brownies to think they should cut athletics. Who cares if they don't "go pro." Does that mean art and music should go too because not too many people go pro in those? What about having fun or teaching about being active and healthy? Insane! "

OPS Employee wrote on Nov 28, 2009 5:21 PM:

" 1) The Athletic Department recieves 1% of the overall budget at Owosso Public Schools. Cutting in this department simply is not fiscally responsible. Coaches make about $1500 per season on average of all sports. So say you cut every coach (about 35 total positions) you are saving $53,000. Remember, the budget is in the millions.

2) Cutting athletics totally. Like it or not, athletics is a part of the high school experience. If you want to argue to cancel the department because "Owosso sucks anyway" or that "no athlete from Owosso will ever go pro" you are being irrational. You might want to think about closing every school's athletic department if your focus is getting kids to the NFL, NBA, or MLB. Not many high school players become pro athletes.

3) Athletics creates revenue for a general fund. Admission is $5 per person so on a fall Friday night, you make about $20,000 which would pay 13 or so coaching positions. That is for one game. Take into consideration the concession stands, programs, etc. money is made.

4) Pay to play has been proven unsuccessful in a socio-economic community like Owosso. In order to really make a dent in school expense, you would have to charge about $175 per athlete PER SPORT. Most athletes play 2 sports. So that would be $300 for families. Participation would drop and REVENUE WOULD DROP with less people attending games because their son, daughter, grandson, granddaugher, neighbors kid, bosses kid, etc. not playing anymore. Chesaning tried this pay to play and quickly abandoned it because they were only raising about $25,000 and participation numbers were dropping.

5) MOST districts have 6-7-8 grade as middle school. Curriculum lines up much better for students in those grades and would make for an easier transition through those three years. Staff meetings for curriculum development would be much better.

6) Closing buildings is about utilizing buildings to their max/best. Owosso has lost about 1500 students in the past 40 years. So buildings are not being utilized to full capacity. The high school was built for 2500 students and 95 teachers. Currently, they are at 1000 students and 40 teachers. So really, the building runs at half-capacity. Same is true for the middle school. If the district really wanted to save money, the middle school would be shifted to OHS, 1/2 the building sectored off for middle school kids, 5-6th grade moved to OMS, and Washington and Bryant close with kids being shifted to Emerson and Central. All kindergartners get moved to Bentley. All early childhood should stay at Roosevelt. Now you are talking about saving millions. It costs $700,000 alone for one year of Consumers Energy. Close 2 buildings and you are saving 1.4 million just in the CE bill.

7) Pay reductions will not take effect within the next 2 years because the contracts are not going to be opened up for it. Even then, you would probably see a union/teacher strike. I agree though, staff needs to look at cutting their salaries and benefits. However, we also realize that once gone always gone. We will never again receive what we have now.

8) The number one problem, after enrollment drops, is that the legislation is using education as the political tug-of-war. They need to swallow their pride and remember that education is the most important aspect of this state.

9) State Lottery! You play, schools win! YEAH RIGHT! Did you know that less than 2% of the state lottery goes toward education?! So, answer me this, where is the lottery going? Ask your politicians that question. I did and the answer they gave me; I'm not prepared to discuss that right now. HA! "

lol wrote on Nov 28, 2009 6:38 AM:

" I agree with Brownie. owosso school sports suck and none of them will go pro from Owosso anyways. As for moving the 6th graders to the junior high is the only way to make it a true middle school and most other schools do that, which DOES make sence Nichole...the drugs, pregnancy and other bad things will always happen worse at Owosso anyways no matter what building they are in!Then again, dont see how you can fit all the 6th graders into that old and decreped building. It needs to be torn down and rebuilt by the high school..oh yeah the taxpayers wont do it. Glad we moved away from all that garbage! "

cavs mom wrote on Nov 28, 2009 6:31 AM:

" I cant believe Owosso is finally thinking about making their "junior high" building into in a TRUE middle school...problem is that the building is delapatated and falling apart. Its even in a bad place for a school as well. The Owosso taxpayers will never vote for any REAl school improvements or building a new middle school! We left Owosso in 2001 because I REFUSED to have my kids go to the falling down building you call a middle school (middle school is 6th, 7th and 8th graders). We came to Corunna and havent looked back! BIG difference and Corunna residents always vote for school improvements and much better academically then Owosso anyways! "

What wrote on Nov 27, 2009 8:46 PM:

" "Cut the entire athletic department"!?!?!?! Are you kidding me!??! You must not realize that many kids stay in school because of the athletics. Not to mention that the various athletics offered keeps some kids out of trouble, teaches leadership and teamwork. What a terrible, terrible idea! "

Thomas wrote on Nov 27, 2009 3:27 PM:

" I have a child in the Owosso school system. I gaurantee, if the 6th graders are moved to the MS we will be moving out of the district or doing school of choice.
I am dumb-founded that the school board and administrators would even consider this. How is Owosso going to attract families if they do this. My child will be out of the Owosso system if this goes through.....so subtract one pupil-head-count funding from your $750,000. "

Brownie wrote on Nov 27, 2009 9:28 AM:

" Cut the entire Athletic department. The salaries an benefits of the director plus the many, many coaches would surely save much more then $750,000. How many students from Owosso go on to have a career in sports? I can only think of one. Teach our kids the skills they need to have a career in this world. Make the sports program pay to play. "

washington parent wrote on Nov 27, 2009 9:07 AM:

" Washington is a much smaller school than Central or Emerson that is why it was chosen. Consolidating to the larger schools would save money since less staff will be needed once they combine and fill the dwindling classrooms.

From my understanding, Washington would remain open, but become the center of all kindergarten classes and early learning. Again consolidating smaller kindergarten classroms, which would reduce staff. "

Nichole wrote on Nov 27, 2009 7:29 AM:

" I believe years ago Audette wanted to move all 6 th graders to OMS. The people had to vote on it. IT was not approved. Having 6th graders in with older group of kids is NOT a good idea.

Middle school is where a lot of things change for kids. They start smoking, having sex, and drinking. Why put younger kids into this any earlier than needed? The peer pressure alone is awful and the need to fit in. "

concerned parent wrote on Nov 26, 2009 10:55 PM:

" i would like to know why none of the other schools are being targeted. they must be loosing students to. but of course you are gonna target the fantasy schools like central, Emerson. Washington school is a neutral school where it don't matter what you to school or how much money you have, that is the way it has always been. and as for the staff they are the most nicest people around and that you will ever meet.and how would you be saving money with all the extra busing u will have to do. i think it will be foolish to close it down. "

Not Happy wrote on Nov 26, 2009 8:33 PM:

" I would like to know how this is going to save money. Has Mr. Hammill thought about this? Has he thought about how many parents this would be hard for. I am one of them. I really don't think that the Jr. High is big enough for all of the 6th graders. My daughter's school aready had to take on the students from another school. Give me a brake. I am upset because he comes in and is here for a few months and thinks he can make huge changes. Give me a break! "

Joe wrote on Nov 26, 2009 10:40 AM:

" Pretty soon we'll be like Flint closing all the schools "

mouse1 wrote on Nov 25, 2009 7:50 PM:

" A great way to cut costs would be to eliminate the Owosso School's weekly 2-page ad in the Argus Press. Totally unnecessary and a terrible waste of money! "

twinkie wrote on Nov 25, 2009 7:14 PM:

" i just dont understand how simply moving the students from one bulding to another saves any money? what am i missing? now another flip plop while our children cant read,write or perform arithmetic with out a calculater but they feel good about themselves. another example of a failed school system. "

Tracy Lighthill wrote on Nov 25, 2009 5:25 PM:

" This would be a horrible thing. What would Bentley become? We are packing are kids into classrooms and they are having less one one one. "

J L wrote on Nov 25, 2009 5:08 PM:

" Washington is a great school. We picked it out of all of the choices due to the reputation of the teaching staff. This school and staff has lived up to it's reputation. We've even just moved into a new house to be much closer - now only a few blocks away. I would hate to see it closed. "

concerned taxpayer wrote on Nov 25, 2009 3:18 PM:

" One question- How is shifting students from one building to another going to save any money? How about those individuals at the top of the pay scale taking a pay cut or a staff reduction? How about getting rid of extra secretaries? How about eliminating benefits given to certain people? Won't offering all day Kindergarten mean hiring several new teachers since each Kindergarten teacher would be teaching 1 class a day instead of 2?All these questions should be addressed. "