Students, teachers feeling impact

Staff

Published Wednesday, October 30, 2002

Editor's note: This is the third in a series on the Albert Lea school operating referendum. Today, a look at how students and teachers say last year's cuts have affected learning.

Thursday: Breaking down the school's budget.

Liz Keeling, a journalism teacher at Albert Lea High School, asks a group of 26 students to ask for certain food items in French. Though not hired as a French teacher, Keeling is teaching the last second-year French class at the high school because the program was cut after the failure of last fall's referendum.

"I had to take over because the French teacher was cut," Keeling said. "At least it's exciting, I get to review my language skills."

The program was cut and those students who had taken the first year class in the 2001-'02 year were given the option to finish their language requirement with Keeling's French II course, but their French education at the high school will most likely end there.

The amount of elective opportunities and course options for high school and middle school students will decline further if the Nov. 5 referendum is to fail, according to district officials.

That could mean more cuts like the French program, something teachers and students say has already had negative effects.

"Now I can't take my advanced placement test for college admissions," said Dan Nelson, 17, a senior. "I'm left with nothing after they cut that program."

Nelson was to take his fifth year of French in his senior year but after the program was cut, his French education was cut - at least at the publicly funded level.

Nelson instead took college courses in France through Mankato State University this past summer. He said that the decision to do so was made because he knew it was one of the only ways he would be able to get credit towards college in French.

He said he is disappointed that the French program was cut and said it is important that students be given more options in language.

The failed referendum also put more pressure on teachers. Keeling says that her journalism courses were cut from three to two because she had to pick up the French class. She also said that her class size average in her journalism courses increased from an average in the low 20s to about 35 per class.

"I don't have enough textbooks, I don't have enough seats and I certainly don't have enough space for all of them," Keeling said. "When students are in a class, it's important that they get as much individual attention as they need and as they deserve. That's not going to happen in classes this large."

Biology teacher Lynda Kiesler agreed. "The recommended size for science courses is around 24," she said. "We are getting courses in the low 30s right now."

Kiesler said the science department may have to cut courses in genetics, microbiology, anatomy and physiology if the budget endures another referendum failure.

"Those courses are very important for students who want to pursue careers in nursing, athletic training or medicine," Kiesler said. "We'd be serving those students less, especially for those wanting to go to college."

Sophomores David Knudson and Jeremy Dahlen, both 15, said they have been disappointed by the changes made in their cirriculum choices due to the failure of last year's referendum.

Dahlen said taking study halls is required for students and that the year before there hadn't been that rule. He said he'd rather have a class than a study hall.

Knudson agreed. "They don't have a lot of selection here for electives now," he said. "I'd like to see the referendum pass ... it would help out for the future."

While these opportunities for students may be scarce there is an argument that says we all have to tighten our belts in hard times. Is there a line to be drawn between that rule and the children of the school district?

In reflecting on the referendum Keeling said, "Votes will either show that the people in this community are supportive of education or that they aren't. Either way it will say a lot about our community."

"A lot rests on this," she added.

The referendum asks voters to approve a $365 per pupil levy for the next five years, as well as a separate levy for $125 per pupil for five years. If the first question is approved, the school says programs will be restored to the level of last year, before programs and bussing were cut; and if voters approve the second question, the school will be able to add all-day, every-day kindergarten and other programs.

If the referendum fails, the school says teachers will probably be laid off and an elementary school may need to be closed, among other cuts.

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