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Whitewood parents urge board not to recombine principal role or move 5th grade
Summary
Administration proposed recombining Whitewood and rural principal duties and moving Whitewood 5th grade to Sturgis (estimated combined savings ~ $121,461). Whitewood parents, students and staff argued the principal’s presence and the 5th‑grade configuration are central to the school’s enrollment and support the Homeschool Connections program.
Administration proposed returning Whitewood to a prior administrative configuration (combining the Whitewood principal post with rural oversight) to save about $57,461 and separately proposed moving Whitewood 5th grade to Sturgis Williams Middle School (estimated savings about $64,000). The proposals are presented as part of the district’s larger budget plan and could be decided in the coming months.
Whitewood parents, students and staff — including teachers, the Homeschool Connections teacher and the Whitewood principal’s supporters — urged the board to keep a full‑time principal at Whitewood and retain 5th grade. Supporters argued the principal’s leadership is tied to the school’s recent enrollment growth and to programs (STEM and Homeschool Connections) that generate revenue and attract families. "When we're in STEM with him, our teacher has time for lesson plans or to reach out to parents," a student said, arguing the principal’s classroom and community presence matters for students’ outcomes.
Administrators said multiple options are under review (including alternative staffing and program models) and that they would present more detailed options to the board before any final personnel changes.
