Coulee Dam schools forced to cut positions

Classroom aides to see up to an hour cut from their positions

COULEE DAM — Declining enrollment numbers in the Grand Coulee Dam School District is forcing the district to cut administrative positions and shorten the school day to six periods for the upcoming academic year.

In the last two years the district has seen enrollment decrease by 100 students.

Included in the cuts are the following positions: High school assistant principal, high school resource officer, and special services director.

The position of superintendent and business manager are both being filled by new superintendent Jeff Loe, after Bob Ranells left at the end of the 2005-2006 school year. Ranells left to take a position in Idaho.

"We've been working hard as far as making sure everyone is aware of what our options were," Loe said in a phone interview with the Herald. "I think most of our teaching staff are willing to work hard and make it work."

In addition, about 20 classroom aides are expected to have up to an hour cut from their positions due to the district going to a six period day.

The 2004-2005 academic year ended with 779, followed by a further declining student enrollment at the beginning of the 2005-2006 school year with 737 and ending with 718.

In the 2006-2007 school year the district is budgeting for 680 students.

"We're thinking that our enrollment is going to be declining over the next five years," Loe said.

As to why numbers are dropping Loe cited the lack of job opportunities in the area, describing his district's service area as more of a retirement community.

Many of the job duties previously carried out in positions which have been cut will be divided up amongst remaining staff members.

Cuts to sports programs had been considered.

"Because of administrative cuts, that helped to not have to do that," Loe said. "As we go down this path we'll have to see year to year."