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Elementary principals request staffing, special‑education and materials support in budget needs assessments
Summary
Three elementary principals told the board about enrollment projections, a need for additional special‑education and AIS staff, requests for library and music positions, security and facility needs, plus staff training and substitutes.
Three elementary principals presented building‑level needs on March 5, asking the board to consider targeted staffing, materials and facility upgrades as the district builds next year’s budget.
Jacqueline Decheryl, principal of (transcript) Answered Grade School, said teachers are implementing a foundations phonics program and identified a half‑time AIS (Academic Intervention Services) position as a top need after the district lost one full AIS slot this year. She asked the board to consider adding 0.5 FTE for literacy intervention and noted ongoing challenges filling substitute positions.
Mr. Perry (Harmony Hill) and Mr. Berg (Raven Lansing Elementary School) described similar priorities: more stable substitute coverage, professional development (including TCIS training for staff who support students with behavioral needs), materials for science and math instruction, and additional special‑education coverage. Berg said the school lacks a librarian and requested the district consider reinstating library services to support instruction and literacy interventions.
Principals also reported enrollment and placement details: several self‑contained special‑education classrooms are at or near capacity (one cited as at or near 12 students), and some kindergarten cohorts show higher needs that may affect class composition. Principals asked for district support to plan for shifting ELL/ENL enrollments and for materials such as iPads, science kits and classroom storage to support instructional schedules and 1:1 device use.
Principals noted progress in staff collegiality and instructional consistency — for example, shared professional learning on phonics and use of progress‑monitoring tools — but said staffing shortages (particularly substitutes and certain specialist positions) restrict their ability to deliver planned professional development and programming.
The principals did not request immediate board votes; their presentations will inform budget committee recommendations.
