While Wednesday evening was the first opportunity for Raymond residents to examine next year’s proposed school budget, comments and questions focused mainly on the board’s decision to reduce the social work position.
A somewhat tense attitude prevailed among more than 50 people who attended the public forum in the Raymond Elementary School gymnasium. Most of those who came to the microphone expressed their disapproval in the reduction of the social work position from full-time to two days a week, system wide.
In her opening presentation, Raymond Schools Superintendent Sandra Caldwell stated that Raymond is far above the average in providing social work services to identified children.
“The state average for providing social work services is 10.9 percent of the identified special education population,” Caldwell said. “We are currently servicing 49 percent of the identified special education population.”
Despite Caldwell’s figures, and the assertion that the board would hire a per diem social worker for up to 36 days a school year as needed, more than half-a-dozen people voiced their support of a full-time social worker.
In a letter to the school board, read at the meeting by 27-year veteran teacher Jani Cummings, 24 teachers from Raymond Elementary School asked the board to reconsider its decision to cut back the social worker position.
“We rely on the social worker on a daily basis to assist us in dealing with children who are struggling with emotions and their behavior,” the letter reads. “…Without that support, we are left to defuse crises alone, making it impossible to teach the rest of the children in the classroom.”
Although the teachers said in the letter that they “applaud the increase of guidance services from four days a week to five,” they believe that some of the responsibilities previously fulfilled by the social worker will be passed on to these guidance counselors, taking time away from their regular responsibilities.
Current K-8 grade social worker Barb Loux, whose hours stand to be cut back by the reduction, spoke of the importance of being integrated with the staff.
“To add a per diem social worker doesn’t work in my book because I don’t know how you can predict a crisis,” she said. “It leaves the guidance counselors with an impossible task.”
Adding to the tension in the gym during the meeting was acting Chair Deborah Adams’ refusal to allow other school board members to speak. When her actions were questioned by resident Charles Leavitt, Adams said it was her decision whether or not to let another member speak to an issue.
Responding to that comment with some indignation, board member Roger Ginn replied that he would speak if he wanted to speak.
In an interview after the meeting, Principal Norma Richards said that violent behavior, mentioned as a concern by several of the speakers, was extremely rare in Raymond schools.
“I appreciate the level of service we have here in Raymond,” Richards said. “People who have been here for the long-term don’t get to step out and step back in but people from other schools comment on how calm our schools are.”
Permitted to speak before the meeting was adjourned, school board members Ginn and Teresa Sadak thanked people for their comments and for coming to the forum.
“Your input is very, very important to me,” Sadak said. “The more input, the better.”
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