Webster County Board of Education voted Monday on the final faculty and staff numbers at each school for the 2013-24 year.
The numbers did not change much from the tentative allocations approved March 1. However two schools - Providence Elementary School and Webster County High School - lost one teacher each from their faculties.
Kim Saalwaechter, director of special education for the district, said the lost positions were due to a decline in enrollment at the two campuses.
The tentative estimates were based on projected enrollment for the upcoming session. However, neither PES nor WCHS met the threshold to allow for the initial staffing allotments.
The district bases the total number of faculty on a formula that divides the total number of students by the cap size for each class. The quotient is then rounded up to the next number.
Board Vice-Chair Tim McCormick asked whether letting go of a single teacher at those schools was wise.
"As hard as it is to get teachers, doesn't letting one go put us behind the 8 ball?" he asked.
Saalwaechter said the process is a double-edged sword when the numbers are so close.
"If enrollment falls by three or four students, you don't want to have to withdraw a teacher either," she replied.
Superintendent Aaron Harrell admitted the process is not perfect, and that it isn't his favorite way to assign the numbers.
"I just don't like the system," McCormick said. "But I don't have an alternative."
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Harrell said principals at those schools have a process to attempt to keep the lost positions. They would have to make the case fiscally, and explain how the teacher is essential under the district improvement plan.
The numbers will be provided to the Site-Based Decision Making Council at each school for the final vote how the positions are used.
(See chart included with this article for the full allocations.)
In other business, Harrell reported two metal detectors had been installed at the alternative school area at the high school.
The devices are on indefinite loan to the district by Webster County Jailer Greg Sauls. They were in storage at Webster County Detention Center, but were transferred to the school for use until the district could purchase an alternative.
Harrell said central office personnel have researched a number of systems for possible installation at the high school and middle school. While they have decided the best option would be a weapons detection system, the detectors were a welcome loan.
Last week, Crittenden County Schools installed the type of devices Webster officials are considering. Harrell and others plan to visit Crittenden County High School to see the system work.
Continuing his update on improving school safety, Harrell added that he was looking at the area at Providence Elementary School known as The Well.
The section of the building is adjacent to Westerfield Park, and is an open collection of classrooms used for high school classes before the merger of Webster County and Providence Independent school systems. The area has no doors to close off the different class areas.
An initial quote to build rooms in The Well did not meet the district's needs, but he will continue to examine the issue.
In other business, the board approved the indirect cost rate, beverage bid advertisement, salary schedule, pay date schedules, and code of conduct for the 2023-24 school year.