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HOWLAND – Howland no longer will be the only school district in Trumbull County without all-day kindergarten, thanks to a new strategic plan that involves the reorganization of students and teachers.
The new strategic planning initiatives, announced during a press conference Wednesday at Howland High School, were brought about in large part for two reasons, said Superintendent Kevin Spicher: To bring students in each grade level under one roof, and to combat the feeling that Howland students come from “two sides of town.”
“It’s something we’ve heard from our taxpayers for many, many years,” Spicher said. “No matter what side of town you’re in, you can have the same education.”
Howland Local Schools currently house kindergarten through second grade in two buildings and third through fifth grades in the other two buildings. The grade level alignment, which Spicher said would be in place for the 2016-17 school year, would include the following: Howland Springs Primary School would house all first grade and half of kindergarten; Howland Glen Primary School, all of second grade and half of kindergarten; H.C. Mines Intermediate, all of third and fourth grades; and North Road Intermediate, all of fifth grade and cooperative classrooms, band, choir and art.
The district also is removing eight modular classrooms, six of which are in use.
The restructuring will not cost taxpayers any more money, Spicher said, and if any cost is involved, it will come from permanent improvement funds that already are in place. He said there is no cost estimate at this time.
Spicher said the restructuring will primarily involve the moving of materials, supplies, students and staffing, and will likely begin after the first of the year.
Although there will be some new configuration to bus routes, it will not cost any more money to transport students and will not require any more personnel. It also will not take any additional time to transport students, he said.
Before the transition begins, Spicher said “transition teams” will be put in place. The teams will be comprised of local staffing, teachers, students and possibly will include outside individuals in some capacity, he said. A committee also will be assembled by the district, and meetings will be conducted with parents and students to ensure everyone is comfortable before the transition begins, he said.
A future modification school officials would like to make involves additional restrooms and an enclosed walkway at H.C. Mines Intermediate School. Spicher said if that takes place, no money will be requested from taxpayers.
“We are not the school of yesteryear any more. We will continue to be a district with a proud past and a roaring future,” Spicher said.