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Raisonville teachers urge board to keep K–6 model, cite staffing and student well‑being risks
Summary
Raisonville teachers told the Monroe Public Schools board that shifting 5th and 6th graders into a separate intermediate building risks student regression, harms neurodivergent students who need routine, and would occur amid current shortages of certified teachers, bus drivers and support staff.
Multiple Raisonville teachers told the board they oppose the proposed 5–6 intermediate building, arguing the K–6 model supports continuity and student well‑being. Jennifer Sales, who has worked in the district for 12 years and currently teaches at Raisonville, said the K–6 environment "creates smooth transitions from one grade to the next" and helps students who "thrive on routine, familiarity, and positive relationships with support staff and teachers." She said rushed change with loose ends risks student achievement and morale.
Dawn Kimball, who said she has taught 28 years with 18 of those in Monroe, focused on staffing: she told the board the district currently lacks enough bus drivers, custodians, certified general‑ed and special‑education teachers to staff existing positions. She warned that implementing a 5–6 building without clear staffing and certification plans would raise teacher turnover and prompt families to leave the district. The teachers asked the board to provide larger-format data on staffing, pursue anonymous teacher surveys to solicit candid feedback, and ensure certification and support staff are resolved before moving forward.
