Four will depart Colfax schools

Four Colfax school employees chose to resign this year, a shift that could help the district come up with the more than $220,000 needed in cuts to the school budget.

The state’s troubled economy meant slashes to education funding for hundreds of districts around the state. Levy equalization, a major supplement to many rural schools, saw changes along with I-728 funds, money that helped keep class sizes small.

No layoffs are planned for either certified or classified staff, according to Superintendent Michael Morgan.

“We’re not anticipating any layoffs and that’s what the board approved last night,” Morgan said.

At the board meeting May 24, the school board approved all classified staff contracts and also voted on an estimated enrollment figure for next school year. The board chose 611 students, a figure in line with projected enrollment for next year. That figure was 634 estimated students last year. That loss of roughly 22 full-time students means about a $132,000 loss in state funding.

“We’re trying really hard to absorb where we can,” said Morgan.

Of the four staff leaving, Morgan said they will have to hire back for some of those positions, but other vacancies left open could help save money.

Fourth grade teacher Brenda Kneeshaw and elementary teacher’s aide Barb Strevy are both retiring.

Emily Jones, school speech pathologist, and Sara Bedient, special education, both resigned because their spouses have accepted jobs in other areas of the country.

To cover the $220,000, the district will draw on some of their reserves.

Also, the district will still cut back on some services, but most programs are already running as tightly as they can, he said. Some classrooms will grow as staff shifts to fill positions in different areas of the school.