District’s space needs creating challenges
October 28, 2015
Space needs in Moorhead Area Public Schools have led not only to numerous challenges, but also to opportunities for creative programming, administrators said during an Oct. 26 presentation to the Moorhead School Board.
Missy Eidsness, assistant superintendent of learning and accountability, Duane Borgeson, executive director of learner support services, and Robin Grooters, principal of Probstfield Elementary, shared some of the challenges the growing student enrollment has created. They also expressed appreciation for the efforts of teachers in dealing with the space crunch.
Eidsness explained that the situation at Probstfield highlights the issues because an entire program was moved into leased space to make room for this year’s large kindergarten class.
To accommodate the need for additional kindergarten classrooms, Early Childhood Family Education and Community Education moved out of Probstfield into leased space, Grooters said. The district’s Jump Start preschool program, which had been expanding, was not able to grow this year. Additionally, the county’s Head Start program also moved out of the building, reducing the number of Head Start classrooms available.
“This means fewer preschool opportunities because of the lack of space,” Grooters said.
According to Grooters, the word “critical” comes to mind when referring to the need for space for intervention.
“We’re reading to kids in the hallways. We’re assessing kids in the hallways,” she said, indicating that those are not preferred quiet spaces for these instructional needs.
Eidsness and Grooters noted the need for equity between the elementary sites, including appropriate computer lab and media center access and storage needs.
Another challenge with the growth has been the increase of new staff, Eidsness said. “Sixty-five new teachers were added in the district this year with about 50 new teachers added last year,” she said.
The district does have a mentorship program to provide extra support to new teachers, Eidsness said.
Some additional hours have been needed for mentoring special education teachers, Borgeson said.
The addition of new learner support services teachers also means more rooms that have not been used for learner support and special education programs. Modifications have been needed to make those rooms work, Borgeson said.
Borgeson and Grooters both highlighted the increased behavior issues being seen because of the overcrowding. Inadequate space to meet the needs of students who need behavioral support leads to more behavioral issues from those students.
“K-4 buildings would be a plus,” Grooters said, referring to the bond referendum proposal to return kindergarten to the elementary schools.
Borgeson agreed that one fewer transition for the younger students is preferred.
If the district’s Nov. 3 referendum is approved, the $78.2 million bond would provide for growth and learning by:
· Adding secure entries in all school buildings;
· Creating adequate and appropriate learning environments for students from early childhood through grade 8;
· Building a K-4 elementary school for 750 students;
· Building a grades 5-6 school connected to Horizon Middle School to create a shared grades 5-8 campus, reducing transitions for students;
· Building an auditorium for school and community use at Horizon Middle School; and
· Returning Probstfield Center for Education to an early childhood and district education center focused on the needs of our youngest learners.
Any eligible voter living in Moorhead Area Public Schools, Independent School District 152, may vote at the polling place or combined place designated for the precinct in which he or she resides. Polling place locations and the polling place map are available at www.moorheadschools.org/referendum. Polling sites will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 3, 2015.
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