Mr. B is out, fifth and sixth grade band is out and a student attempted to set himself on fire this week at the high school.
Obviously I write about my opinions, but when I do so, I like to deal in facts. I don't like rumors, and when I hear rumors about a subject that interests me, I go out and seek facts before I write.
I was told some interesting things that have been going on within the Waupun schools. I didn't like any of what I heard so I decided to go ask questions.
First, I was told 5th and 6th grade band has been dropped at the Rock River Intermediate School. I was told no one seems to know who authorized this move. I went to the school and spoke with the Principal, Geri Kempf and to be honest, I left the meeting with more questions than answers. Mrs. Kempf stated that band as we currently know it has been eliminated at RRIS. I asked who authorized that decision and I did not get an answer. She went on to say the district is looking at creative ways to bring it back. When I asked her for details, she refused to provide any saying they didn't want rumors about the ideas until a final decision is made.
I personally don't like this approach. As a parent of a child in the district, I believe parents and tax payers have the right to know what's going on so they can give input. Mrs. Kempf didn't respond to that.
Not getting any answers, I made an appointment with Donald Childs, the District Administrator. Mr. Childs was a bit more candid, but I still felt there were some things he wasn't completely open about. We discussed several issues.
First, he confirmed 5th and 6th grade band at RRIS has been eliminated. He gave one idea of what they are considering to bring it back. They are looking at having a later start one day per week, possibly Wednesdays, with all students arriving on time. While the band students practice, the other students would do things like learn various math skills in computer lab. No actual classes would start until the band students are finished with practice. He said they are also considering having the band students come in early a couple days per week for practice in addition to the Wednesday practice.
Next, I asked about another rumor, that being the HS band director, Heath Benedum, or Mr. "B" to his students, is being let go. Mr. Childs confirmed this and informed me Mrs. Sauer, band teacher at RRIS, would be moving to the High School and assuming Mr. B's position. Mrs. Sauer would also be teaching 7th and 8th grade band. He stated this decision came down to experience and certification, which Mrs. Sauer has more of. I asked why, if Mrs. Sauer had more experience, was she not the HS band director before now. Mr. Childs stated he didn't know as these people were in place before he came to the district, but he speculated it may have been Mrs. Sauer's preference.
I am aware that Mr. B is quite popular with students and Mrs. Sauer is not. I pointed this out to Mr. Childs. I also told him there is speculation that some school board members wish to eliminate music entirely, and the hope is many students will quit band if Mr. B is gone, and if that happens, the board can eliminate the band, at the very least and say it was due to lack of student interest. Mr. Childs denied this saying the board members are committed to the music programs because students that can read music tend to do better in Math.
I am a person who pays attention to body language and facial expressions, and while Mr. Childs insisted the school board does not wish to eliminate music program, he wouldn't look at me when he said it. He looked off to his right as he said it. I'm not saying this is proof he was lying, but I did find it interesting.
I asked Mr. Childs what he thought about students quitting band because they don't like the new band instructor. His response was that parents need to be responsible and talk to their students about their dedication to band regardless of who is teaching. I pointed out that students may not do as well with the teacher they do not like and may excel with the instructor they really like who does a very good job. Mr. Childs response was that legally their hands are tied because appropriate notice must be given and that has already been done.
He went on to say that like with any new position, the new instructor would be on probation for one year and that if things didn't work out with the new instructor, they would possibly be able to make changes which include bringing the old instructor back. I said so you want Mr. B to just hang around for a year to see if he can get his old job back? Mr. Childs responded saying that a lot of schools are eliminating their music programs, so there will be fewer positions and competition for these jobs is going to be fierce so Mr. B may not be able to find another job.
He also stated there is a possibility that Mr. B may be needed if they are able to bring back the fifth and sixth grade band to the Rock River school. It would be a very part-time position. I found both of these responses to be very disrespectful to Mr. B.
I understand the school board has to make cuts, and Mr. Childs asked me where I would make cuts if I could choose. I said that, in my opinion, the agriculture classes could be eliminated. I know many may disagree, but my reasoning is quite simple. The vast majority of students that decide to go into farming are typically kids that grew up on farms themselves, and have already learned the essentials they need to farm if that's what they decide to do. I'm not saying the agriculture programs are not important, I'm simply saying that if cuts are necessary you should cut a program where students can get their instruction at home as opposed to band where students can't get their instruction at home.
The last item I discussed with Mr. Childs was in regards to an incident that happened this past Monday at the high school. I had been told that a 14-year-old male student had walked into the school, went into a bathroom near the Commons, doused himself with gasoline and attempted to set himself on fire. I said I found the story to be interesting and I found it especially interesting that neither of our local papers covered the story.
Mr. Childs confirmed that a young male student came into the school with a water bottle filled with gasoline, went into a bathroom, poured the gasoline all over himself and unsuccessfully tried to ignite it. He stated that the police school liaison officer, Patty Toll spoke with this young man, and the young man stated his reasoning for doing this was because he was getting bullied at school. The student was taken to Waupun hospital.
The students mother was then to take him to a hospital in Fond du Lac for a mental evaluation. According to Mr. Childs, the mother initially did not follow through with this plan, and Officer Toll went and spoke with the students mother on her own time and convinced her to take the student in.
Mr. Childs stated that the allegations of bullying are being looked into, and the students who allegedly did the bullying are being questioned. Mr. Childs could not explain the lack of news coverage on this but added that they do not do press conferences because they have to protect the identity of their students. I again stated that I could not understand how police, fire personnel and an ambulance crew could all be sent to a public high school because of the student trying to set himself on fire and no news outlet knows anything about it.
Mr. Childs responded stating that he knew that the Police Department and ambulance crew did respond to the scene, but he was not sure if the fire department was called in. He said he believed the custodial staff cleaned up the gasoline in the bathroom.
I don't know how a school district administrator could not know whether or not a fire department was at one of the schools, especially when the district is as small as ours. I realize that the amount of gasoline that was used in the bathroom was small, but gasoline is a hazardous material and I'm surprised that they would leave cleanup to the custodial staff.
This bullying story is not getting much attention, but I think parents have a right to know for the safety of their own children that a student walked into the high school with a bottle of gasoline, poured it over himself and tried to set himself on fire.
It is my opinion that these are all issues that the school board and the district administrator need to address. There is a lack of transparency with the administration in our school district and that to me is unacceptable.
The next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 2 at 7 PM at the education service center on Wilcox Street right behind Meadowview primary school. Regardless of your position on these issues, I am encouraging both parents and students alike to go to the school board meeting and share your concerns if you have any.
To the band students at Waupun High School: if you enjoy band and are fond of Mr. B, please consider going to the next school board meeting on Monday. Don't assume that because of your ages that your opinions don't matter because they do. The school board members should be fully aware of how you feel about this.