WHY IS WATER VALLEY KEEPING AN UNFUNDED PRE-K CLASS IF THEY ARE IN THIS MUCH FINANCIAL CRISIS?

Why WV is not even considering slashing the gravy first--things like the pre-K class? This class, just this year, was made open to the anyone living in the district, as opposed to just those who were economically disadvantaged or mentally/physically handicapped/etc. How much money is it costing WV EVERY DAY to subsidize structured daycare for those kids?? This class will not be nearly as missed as art, ag, and, for crying out loud in a world struggling with obesity, P.E. The older children do not deserve having their classes eliminated in order to float a new pre-K program. The kids in pre-K have their whole elementary education ahead of them. Pre-K has waited this long; it can wait until WV is financially strong enough to maintain it.

If these fine professionals are being asked to walk away from their careers in the middle of the school year with little chance of finding another teaching job until summer nears, I would expect those at the top of this stinking heap to step up to the plate in full force. I understand the principal's wife is teaching the pre-K, and they have children in this class. I understand this principal and his band director have a long history together, and the principal hired the band director's wife as the band director's teacher's aid, and this couple also has a child in this pre-K class. At the absolute very least, someone owes the public a rock-solid explanation to justify why that UNFUNDED pre-K is not being dropped FIRST.

On a personal note, Mrs. Wood is not your average P.E. coach--each year she organizes the HEB Camp for all 5th and 6th grade students. This camp has given kids an opportunity to explore and learn so much about culture and science outside the classroom in a way that is both memory making and absolutely breathtaking. This GIFT will surely fall by the wayside when she is forced out the door. Many of these kids would never have this hands-on opportunity outside of her program. She organizes yearlong fund raising and coordinates much of the entire project with help from her colleagues and parents. She and her family are also deeply invested in WV outside of school functions--to push them out the door a week before Christmas like this is a tragedy for students, teachers, and parents alike.

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD: I do not envy you for the road you have recently traveled or the crossroads ahead. Please do not let the administration pressure you into doing anything if there's any other way this situation can be mitigated. This is not just teacher's jobs--it's about programs' futures, neighbors' livelihoods, childrens' mentors. The solutions proposed cut through the very fabric of our community. Please take your time and thoughts outside of the box handed to each of you last night and reconsider all other options first.

My prayers and best wishes go out to all involved.

I don't understand why people are sad. I thought everyone was against raising taxes (you know, like Socialists apparentely do).

It's my opinion that the money has been there, just isn't being managed right. As far as I'm concerned, cutting Nurse Gilstrap was the final straw...you'll not be seeing my kids at Water Valley any more! They will go back to Wall where they KNOW HOW TO MANAGE THEIR MONEY!

My heart is saddened - what is happening at Water Valley is soon to be world wide. We have all lived beyond our means and given our work loads to others to help us and to also help create(in some cases)un-needed positions/jobs. Now that times are rough we want to point fingers and accuse those in power. I want to truly believe that a lot of thought and praying has gone into this decision. We have a new Superintendent and he is unfamaliar with any of our past history, teachers, etc. He does want whats best for our Students - that is where our main concern should lie. The past administration was not held accountable by our School Board - I did make meetings and felt we had a yes man crew. I don't want them to micro manage - but when it comes to spending tax payers dollars and you have business men on the position of School Board Member - I feel they need to take the same responsibility they do in their jobs - if they can look back over the past few years and be able to look you in the eye and tell you we did our best - we checked out the situatioins and made the chioces we felt were most advantageous for Water Valley ISD and the Students that attend - we want to blame the top dog - when lots of times that dog can only do what the little dogs allow. Let's quit pointing fingers, we need to rally to the support of this sittuation and come together as a community and make a difference. Life is hard - we want it all with as little effort as possible put into it. You know if you fight all your battles and never have to hit your knees and call upon the Lord to help - then your not getting the message - quit telling eveyone how big your problems are and start telling everyone how big your God is.

I am praying for the outcome and asking for God's Grace - Love and understanding for all who are involved and the domino effect it will have on our community.

Just curious why the Ag program was cut before band. I mean Water Valley is a 6 man program, how many 6 man programs have a band, none. Wouldn't ag be more benefical because this is an agriculture community and some of these kids work or live on a ranch or farm.
Getting rid of the school nurse, hope there is never a need for a student to be monitored or have a child on campus with a serious medical condition. Who will keep up with medication that has to be given to students during the school day because if it's the school office they are busy answering phones etc.

I was there last night, and as I listened to what was said by the board members, the superintendent, and the two women brave enough to provide public comment, I have absolutely no doubt a lot of thought and prayer has gone and continues to go into this.

That does not mean people in leadership positions should not be held accountable for their actions, past or present, as they determine the future for so many others in the community. Clearly, Mr. Hannon stepped into a firestorm, and I do not fault him. Others who have been here have some questions to answer though. These are questions I've heard many ask, yet they remain unaddressed.

Right now and until December 19th, it's time for action. A thorough review of all options should be done before we kick people to the curb, right before Christmas. Why not figure out a way to keep our teachers in place at least until the end of the school year when people have a proper opportunity to seek employment elsewhere? Why not review staffing levels at that time and adjust as necessary when teachers have a fair shot? I'm not suggesting WV does or does not have enough or too many staff--I'm requesting people be reasonable, considerate, and just before putting everyone involved in unnecessarily painful positions.

I lived in Grape Creek and graduated from Lake View, I do not understand why Water Valley and Grape Creek have separate schools. Grape Creek, Carlsbad and Water Valley are not large enough for 2 schools. Water Valley should combine with Grape Creek and only have one school. The children that live on the north side of Water Valley can go to Sterling City. I know that there are children living in Grape Creek that go to Water Valley. Those children are bused to school every day. I don't understand financially how Grape Creek and Water Valley can survive much longer if they do not consolidate and try and save the tax payers money.

Wonder why the enrollment dropped so much?? Could it have anything to do with the current administration? The same administration that arrived in Water Valley in 2006/2007 when the enrollment decline started. I know serveral kids that have been kicked out of Water Valley by the principal. One kid was kicked out of school because of a technical foul in a basketball game. Instead of reaching out to the kid, that obviously needed some direction, the Water Valley administrator gave him a boot out the door the very next day. I know many that have moved their kids to Grape Creek because of the administration. Any school will have a decline in enrollment if they have a bully on the payroll. The thing that concerns me is the fact that it's been allowed.

It will be interesting to see who accually gets cut. Will the spouses of the board, or administration get cut. For now the only thing the board has done is voted to cut certian positions. Just because they voted to cut the elementary PE position doesn't mean that Mrs. Wood couldn't be reassigned to a position that keeps her employed. Same goes for the elementry computer position. We witnessed how easy the administrators can reassign the staff at Water Valley a few months ago. So do it again, but this time for right reasons. I'm sure they are qualified for other positions. These teachers have lived in the community for many years, raised their children in Water Valley, and own property in Water Valley. If they are cut, and the spouses of the administrators (which are new hires) are allowed to stay the people of Water Valley need to make a stand. Don't get me wrong I have anything against the spouses, they just haven't invested as much as some others have.

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With all due respect, as a graduate of Water Valley, your suggestion is an insult. WV is small, and that is why many people choose to send their children to school out there. There are transfers from several different schools for different reasons--some of which include the fact that these parents CHOOSE to send their kids to an academically stronger school. WV just built a new elementary addition and a new gym--what a waste of taxpayer money would it be to walk away from that investment!

This too shall pass. It's just a matter of people making sure things happen fairly and in the best interest of the community and students.

There is a meeting 11/20/08 in the Auditorium at 6:30pm. I hope all concerned community members will be in attendance.

It sounds like Cricket, ourbabygirl, and PointMan are all deeply concerned for the district. They both have alot of information about the district and seem to be pointing lots of fingers at the administration. It is my understandiung that the current administration and board tried to to pass a roll back election to prevent this sitution but the voters said "THANKS, BUT NO THANKS".

If you are truly concerned about the district
I would encourage you to visit with board members, district's administration, teachers, community members, and attend all board meetings.

This forum is definately a place to air your dirty laundry (without accountablity) but it is not a proper place where problems can be solved.

Of course what do I know, I am only Gooberman!

I will be out of town that night and cannot change plans on such short notice or I would be there...in a heartbeat. I've posted enough information for my friends to follow through however--that's what this forum IS good for. I do not believe I've aired dirty laundry--I've stated facts. I do plan to be there Monday night for the meeting.

Best of luck to all tonight! My thoughts and prayers are with all in Water Valley.

Ok so now that the tax rollback failed by 26 votes, Is there a way to have a special election and see what could happen, WV people wake up and save your school, the small school's are falling by the way side all over america. Get all of the parents involved or in a few years there will be only 1 school out there and it will not be WV. What has happened to the oil & gas tax revenue that was coming in? When I lived there it was really quiet a lot of money.Any way good luck and get rid of pre-k and it will save a couple of the teachers positions.

ourbabygirl - Your comment above stated: "I mean Water Valley is a 6 man program, how many 6 man programs have a band, none."

Just FYI: I found a six man school in a couple of minutes that has a band - Throckmorton ISD. Check it out http://www.throck.org/vnews/display.v...

Your friendly neighborhood "gooberman"

Ironically, that is where the current WV principal and band direct came from prior to being hired in WV.

I encourage you to look at the band programs at Know City, O'Donnell, Eden, Robert Lee, May, Milford, etc... Are these all six man schools? Yes.

Cricket: Have the principal and band director have been at all these schools as well?

Basically, the quote by ourbabygirl is false.

According to rule #3 for this forum, posts must "be truthful. Don't lie about anyone or anything. Exposing untruthful things is not what comments are about."

Seek the whole truth,

Gooberman

Athletics, band, etc. are specialized electives that draw students in. Cut those, lose even more enrollment. They also have a way of improving grades, providing incentives for at-risk students to keep their grades up (no pass, no play). Not sure on the rationale behind cutting agriculture, but i presume that the administration balanced risks. Nevertheless, the community had a chance to save themselves from the cuts, but, nevertheless, they voted it down. I guess more folks are for it than against it....

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Some of us here in Eden are praying hard for you , Water Valley.

Dear Mr. Jones,

Your post should be removed from this forum! Your remarks are totally inappropriate and disrespectful.

Accorcing to the rules of this forum posts should "Be truthful. Don't lie about anyone or anything. Exposing untruthful things is not what comments are about. Be nice. No racism, sexism or any other sort of -ism that degrades another person."

Just my opinion,

Gooberman

floorman,

you can prove this???

"....the fact that one of the newcomers from Throckmorton has been immoral with possibly three employees of the WVISD".

It would be truly immoral to make accusation like that without absolute irrefutable proof.