District 30 parents want social worker

Several residents spoke out against the plan to eliminate a social worker position in District 30 at a community budget forum, attended by about two dozen residents, on March 1.

In the preliminary 2012-13 budget, school officials are planning to cut three positions — the social worker, an ESL teacher and a technology teacher. Eliminating the district’s lone social worker is estimated to save about $135,000 including salary and benefits.

However, many parents don’t want to see the position go, and say that the social worker provides invaluable support for students. “I personally feel that social work services are needed in a school,” said Eleanor Hurdle.

Superintendent Dr. Elaine Kanas said that the social worker provides mandated services to three students, in addition to other support. She said that that caseload can be picked up by the district’s psychologists, who do have the time in their schedule. “We don’t want to cut any program if we’re not able to replace it in some way,” Kanas said.

Kanas also said that District 30 is lucky to have a very caring staff, where teachers and administrators provide emotional support to students. “I feel very fortunate for the staff that we have,” she said. “Children will get the same level of service.”

However, Hurdle said that with the stress that teachers and principals are under because of the rigorous testing demands, she is concerned that they do not have the time to provide this support. She also questioned if the teachers were even consulted about cutting the position.

Parent Janice Francis said that with the proposed elimination of the social worker, she was concerned that students would not know what support is available to them in school. Kanas responded that students typically do not go to see a social worker on their own, but rather are referred to the social worker by a teacher or principal.

Hurdle asked if the district could keep the social worker by eliminating the Quest program, which provides academic enrichment opportunities to students. Kanas said that administrators and board members want to offer an enrichment program.

The social worker is a position important to the district’s taxpayers, Hurdle said, and asked district officials to find other possible cuts to keep the position.

Board of Education President Elise Antonelli said that board members had expressed their own concerns about eliminating the social worker. She said the board was satisfied with the explanation it received from administrators that services could still be met without the position. Despite that, she said board members will consider the feedback they received from the public at last week’s budget forum. “Nothing is set in stone,” she said, “because the board hasn’t voted on the budget yet.”

Residents also asked about the Washington Avenue Kindergarten Center, and if the district would be receiving any revenue next year by renting it out. Lisa Rutkoske, the assistant superintendent for business, said that the district is in preliminary discussions with a day care center interested in using the building, which closed in June. However, she said she won’t bank on the revenue for next year without finalized plans.

Monique Sampson wondered why the district was still putting aside money for utilities at Washington Avenue, about $28,000 for gas, water and electricity. “If nobody’s in the building, what are we paying for?” Sampson asked.

Rutkoske said that the utility costs are less than when the district was using the building, but the heat still has to be turned on to keep pipes from freezing, and water flowing to keep the grass green.

The preliminary $32.4 million spending plan is about $6,700 less than the current year’s budget, and carries a 1.69 percent tax levy increase. The next budget discussion will be held on Feb. 13 at the Board of Education meeting.