Libby school district sees numbers falling
Brandon Roberts The Western News
Libby Public Schools, like many schools in rural Montana, are facing student enrollment declines. While Libby school superintendent Kirby Maki says teachers, administrators and staff remain solid, the enrollment decline could spell future financial hardships.
As this school year begins, districtwide enrollment numbers were calculated at 1,295 students – down from 1,336 last year and 1,762 just six years ago.
“We are looking at student drops of 30 to 50 per year for the next five years,” Maki said during Monday’s school board meeting. “These numbers are not a surprise and a plan is in place that will have the least negative impact on the students.”
On enrollment projections, Maki said that the total high school student body could number only 350 by 2012. Enrollment for September was 514, down from 663 in September 2002.
Maki said that trends show the enrollment numbers stabilizing in five to six years and that Libby is dedicated to good programs and a continued array of after-school activities.
“Numbers spell dollars,” said chairman Jerry Frament, who thanked Maki and fellow trustees for “keeping the budget on target.”
He also issued a reminder that Libby taxpayers have not had a levy for at least five years.
Maki elaborated that the district has pursued other revenue options in the form of grants which have “kept us afloat to supplement the regular curriculum.”
Even with student declines in Libby High School, principal Rik Rewerts has had early challenges meeting state Office of Public Instruction guidelines for student-teacher ratios.
According to OPI, a teacher is only allowed to instruct 150 students per day with a maximum class size of 30. Rewerts said they are pushing the mark, with some teachers at 144 students.
“It was a jigsaw puzzle that the guidance counselors did a great job with,” said Rewerts, whose school recently received an exemplary award for a positive school climate.
“It is always good to come out on top,” Maki said. “We have a good, positive, and safe place for students, staff and the community to be.”
In other news from the meeting:
• Several LHS students from the principles of democracy class were in attendance and expressed concern that the population reduction would knock them out of Class A sports. However Frament quelled any concerns. “We are a powerhouse and will remain in Class A,” he said. Rewerts added that a school can always play up a class, no matter the student enrollment, but a large school cannot play down.
• The board adopted a code of conduct for the posting of notices on school property. The policy states that nonschool-related organizations can request permission to hang signs or posters in reserved areas as long as they are student oriented, do not disrupt the educational process, invade the privacy of others, are appropriate, do not have a copyright infringement and do not promote or mention alcohol, tobacco or other illegal substances. Trustee Paula Darko-Hensler said the policy adoption gives the schools “control over the content of those signs.” Signs can be posted 10 days before and two days after an event and are approved on a case-by-case basis.
• Under the No Child Left Behind federal policy, Libby schools are on the watch list. Curriculum director Jael Prezeau said “this doesn’t frighten me,” adding that the schools had met all goals last year and the bar was raised for this year. Being put on the watch list does not have any financial penalties. “We beat the bar in many classes last year,” Prezeau said.