Concerns over proposed staffing cuts at Barnett Magnet School dominated discussions during the recent School Board Work Session in Alaska. Board members expressed strong opposition to a recommendation to reduce staffing by 2.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions, emphasizing the potential negative impact on the school's ability to serve its students effectively.

Missus LaPlante highlighted the ongoing struggle Barnett has faced with staffing cuts over the years, noting that these reductions have significantly affected the school's operations and its adherence to its original magnet model. "We have asked them to continue to do as much as they can with less and less," she stated, underscoring the challenges the school faces in maintaining its unique educational offerings.

Mrs. Hardy and Ms. Carol Hubbard echoed these sentiments, arguing that cutting staff would be counterproductive to the district's commitment to investing in student success. "They are a school that is at capacity, often above capacity," Mrs. Hardy remarked, advocating for the need to support rather than diminish the school's resources.

The discussion also touched on the broader implications of aligning Barnett's staffing with district-wide pupil-to-teacher ratios (PTR). Some board members raised concerns that reducing exploratory teachers would unfairly impact Barnett, especially if the district aims to lower PTR across other schools. "If we prioritize lowering PTR at middle school and elementary school for everybody else, we should probably not reduce the magnet exploratory teachers," Ms. Julian pointed out.

As the meeting concluded, there was a consensus to revisit the staffing proposal in future discussions, with several members advocating for a more equitable approach to funding and staffing across all schools. The board's commitment to ensuring that Barnett Magnet School continues to thrive remains a priority, with hopes that future funding will allow for the necessary support to enhance educational offerings.