N. Thurston plans for worst

District presented two different budgets; staff positions, sports, electives on the line

By Diane Huber | The Olympian • Published April 23, 2008

• All elementary school art, music and physical education teaching positions will be cut, as well as band and orchestra programs.

• High school sports participation fees will increase, and some sports will be cut, such as swimming. Fees will be $200 to $250, compared with $75 now. Activities director and athletic trainer positions will be cut.

• Staff will be cut at South Sound High School, and the school will serve fewer students, with a greater emphasis on online courses.

• Some high school vocational and elective programs will be cut.

• The district will eliminate Challenge Academy and Nisqually Reach, programs for gifted students.

The 40 staff members and parents who attended Tuesday's meeting described the news as devastating.

"Dr. Koval has used the word catastrophic. ... There's no other word that puts its arm around the terrible situation," said Lynn Grantham, co-chairwoman of the North Thurston Citizens for Schools levy committee.

Carol O'Connell, principal of Meadows Elementary School, said it would be sad to lose elementary programs such as music and PE.

"This community needs to pass this levy. The level of cuts are so detrimental to the whole school system," she said.

Kathy Shea, a bus driver in the district for 22 years, said she worried about some of her colleagues' jobs.

"It looks like transportation is a pretty big cut," she said.

Diane Huber covers education for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-357-0204 or dhuber@theolympian.com.