Letter leads to discussion at Othello School Board meeting

OTHELLO — The move to a kindergarten through eighth-grade configuration at Othello elementary schools, and a letter of support for the direction the district is going, was the subject of an extensive conversation at the Othello School Board meeting Tuesday.

District superintendent ChrisHurst presented a draft of the district’s plan to explain the concept behind the K-8 plan and its implementation to district patrons. Currently district officials plan to implement the change for the 2019-20 school year.

The letter was written by board member Tony Ashton. “We want to reaffirm the confidence we have in Dr. Hurst and the rest of the OSD staff. When (Hurst) was hired, the board asked him to take whatever steps are necessary to prepare our students for a rewarding career after their formal education is complete. We believe he is succeeding in that directive,” Ashton wrote. “As a board, we encourage each of you (district patrons) to get involved in this transformational process.”

Ashton asked if board members were in support of the statement. Board member Ken Johnson said he wasn’t. “There are several parts in there I just don’t quite agree with, but I’m willing to learn,” Johnson said. “Until I understand those things, I’m not ready.”

“I think as it is written, we’re saying we support (Hurst) and his vision,” said board member Jenn Stevenson. “I don’t think it necessarily says, ‘and we’re all for K-8,’ but we’re supporting him and his direction.”

“I made the statement at the last (school board) meeting is that all I ask is that everybody come to the table with an open mind,” said board member Mike Garza. Garza agreed with Stevenson that the letter was about the district’s direction, not necessarily the K-8 proposal. “There are a lot of variables to this transformation. There are a lot of questions that the public still has. And we’re going to learn about these things.” Change may be necessary in a changing world, Garza said.

When approving the letter, Johnson voted no.

Johnson said he has questions, and is doing a lot of research. The research he’s done so far shows that the K-8 format can help improve educational results, he said, but Othello would be making the change in buildings not designed for kindergartners through eighth-graders. “We are taking schools that were built for K through 4 originally, and trying to convert to this.”

Johnson said he was concerned the 2019-20 deadline was too soon. “Very aggressive,” he said. “What I’m concerned about is that it’s so aggressive it may affect our students.” Schools have taken up to five years to make the transition, Johnson said, and was concerned that no one in Othello has experience with transitioning to K-8.

“I encourage all those people that have questions and concerns to get very active in this, because that’s the only way they’re going to learn about this too.” Johnson said he was willing to keep studying and learning. “I think we’ve got a lot of work in front of us.” His primary concern, he said, is that the transition might impact education for children currently in school.

“I certainly agree the process is going to very important, and including everyone in the process is going to be very important also,” Hurst said. In his career, Hurst said, he has overseen the transition of a kindergarten through fifth grade to a kindergarten through eighth grade.