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Show Student Boycott Ends at Escalante, Officials Continue Schedule Talks ESCALANTE An apparent boycott of students in Escalante High School in protest over problems between teachers, parents, school board and superintendent, ended Wednesday but between a third and a half of the students failed to attend classes Monday and Tuesday The contention Is a result of what school officials claim is a need to reduce the number of teachers to make the student-teacher ratio more equal throughout the district, necessary because of a projected enrollment decline for next year, resulting in less state funds. According to Supt. Kerry Nelson, there will be some 48 less students at the beginning of the 1977-78 school year than ini 1976-77. This will necessitate) the reduction of the number off teachers. Some teachers will be retiring and are not being replaced by other teachers, but the responsibilities will be divided among other teachers. Some teachers will be transferred to other schools and some will be required to travel, teaching in two different schools on different days of the week. Mr. Nelson, along with his staff, were charged by the board of education to provide a teaching situation for the 1977-78 school year which will meet the needed teacher-student ratio, provide a high grade educational program and meet the financial needs of the district. Figures from the district office show that with next year's project district enrollment of 826 students, the district will receive $852,048 in weighted pupil unit (WPU) monies. This Is some $30,000 less than the 1976-77 amount of $882,436. The 1976-77 enrollment was 874 students. Of the 48 student loss, Escalante schools will have 21, or about half, according to projected enrollment figures, the superintendent said. The schedule for next year is still being considered with experts from the Utah Board of Education assisting as con sultants. When completed, the schedule, along with the budget for next year will be presented to the board in June. The public is invited to attend the meeting. According to Mr. Nelson, the proposal would make the following changes: Panguitch High School's projected enrollment is 193 students, and with 10.67 teachers would provide a ratio of 18.3 students to one teacher. In February, 1977, the ratio was 16.2 to one. Bryce Valley High School with a projection of 114 students would have 6.41 teachers for a 17.8 ratio. In February the ratio) was 14.7 Escalante High is projected ' for 104 students with 6.17 teachers. This will give a 16.9 ratio compared with 1S.0 in February. Panguitch Elementary School is projected for 209 students, 8.66 teachers for a 24.1 ratio. In February, It was 31.0. Bryce Valley Elementary School, with 110 projected students would have five teachers for a 22.0 ratio. In February it was 23.7. Escalante Elementary Is projected for 82 students with 4.17 teachers and a ratio of 19.7. In February it was 18.6. A meeting of school officials, the Garfield Education Assn. and Utah Education Assn. was scheduled for Wednesday to continue discussion of the problems. |
