Wicomico School Cuts

Staff members have provided the Wicomico County school board with a large catalogue, featuring 111 different items that could possibly be eliminated from the school district within the next year or so. One of the items that could possibly be eliminated is the employee relations coordinator position, which would help the school board to save just about $100,000 annually. The position belonged to Stay Messick, however, she has been placed on administrative leave since the ending of 2011, along with the Director of Human Resources, Stephanie Moses.

A new position that has already been added, director of human resources and employee relations, would basically take the spot of both Messick and Moses’ positions. That position is currently available and in the meantime, the superintendent, Bill Middletown, is taking the place of director of human resources until the position is filled. School officials have not provided any comments on their decision to add this position and eliminate the other two positions. Tracy Sahler, a spokesperson, says that it is personnel matter and is not to be discussed publicly.

Another possible reduction would be the decrease in the number of bus stops the bus would make, which could actually end up saving the school district nearly $80,000 a year. Dave Reeve, the supervisor of transportation, has said, “Transportation is the way it is because it evolved that way.” He also said, “It goes back to where kids were picked up when they were in kindergarten.” Reeve also said that with the reduction in the number of stops the bus makes, stop near main roads would be eliminated, which would help to save money as well as gave, helping the district to save thousands annually.

However, one of the board members, Tyrone Chase, is concerned about some of the younger children having to walk a long distance to reach a bus stop if a large number of bus stops are eliminated. Reeves said that they would take into consideration the age of the children before eliminating certain stops. With the current policy, some students would possibly have to travel a mile to reach their bus stop destination, which has some concerned.

Reeves said that the changed would not affect the drop offs that take place with children in pre-kindergarten, stating that the drop offs will still take place, practically door to door. Board members have stated that they do not think it is right or responsible for younger children to walk for long periods of time alone and by themselves but are aware that it has, in fact, happened before. They board members would like to receive some more information on the changes that will be made before they can ultimately make a decision as to whether or not cuts will be made when it comes to bus stops.