WICHITA, Kansas – It was last Monday that hundreds packed meetings across the city to voice their opinions on what they value in Wichita schools. This Monday the results were unveiled."Everything that was valued, if you noticed, talked about kids being involved in the classroom and outside the classroom," Board of Education President Barb Fuller said.
The public feedback found that overall Wichitans value music and technology in their schools.
For elementary, the top value was after-school programs. For middle schools, music topped the list, and for high schools career and tech ed were the top priorities.
The results come as the district prepares for another $25-30 million in budget cuts from the state. It’s a reality that was evident as the board reviewed how the district would go about laying off teachers.
“We do have some phenomenal, young teachers,” superintendent John Allison said. “As we begin to look at -- if there was a reduction in force that was necessary, these are the individuals we lose."
The district has said that any more reductions in state aid would likely result in staff reductions. That’s where the community priorities come into play, as the district grapples with possible cuts in an already cash-strapped budget.
"Oh, it carries big weight,” Fuller said. “We wouldn't be going around asking people what they value, and not use the information."
The district says if staff cuts are necessary, a community committee will use the priorities list to recommend where cuts should be made.
USD 259 won’t know how big of a budget cut it will face until the state budget is finalized in Topeka.
