By Julie Ann Madden

The Akron-Westfield School Board proposed only a 2.5 percent total salary package for all district employees for the 2008-2009 school year. That increase will cost the district nearly $100,000, A-W Board President Jim Black told members of the Akron-Westfield Education Association’s Negotiation Committee. Of that, $73,751 is the cost for teachers’ portion in salary increases to Schedules A, B, C, FICA and IPERS. “On behalf of the Board of Education we would like to begin with responding to a few of the (AWEA’s) contract language changes proposed,” said Black as he spoke on the board’s behalf. “First, we would like to begin with changes the AWEA is proposing to Article III Evaluation Procedures,” he said, explaining this would fall under evaluation criteria which is a permissive item for negotiations. “We feel there are plenty of safeguards in place to protect good teachers from being dismissed unfairly.” “We will not negotiate any of this language,” said Black. “We also believe these changes would cause needless delays and could easily end up working to the detriment of our students.” “We trust the principles to evaluate the staff fairly,” he said, adding they’ve been trained to conduct teacher evaluations and we consider this to be an important part of their job. “There currently is a process in place for teachers who don’t agree with any item on their evaluations to state their objections in writing and have it attached to their evaluation and placed in their employee file,” said Black. “No one likes to be told they aren’t doing their job in a satisfactory manner and that there is a need for improvement. However, to allow grievances to be filed any time a teacher doesn’t like something about their evaluation could tie up our administration in a lengthy legal process that could drag on for weeks or even months.” “Next the proposed changes in Article IV – Leaves of Absence; regarding the discretionary leave item, it appears that this would simply allow each teacher four days of personal leave,” he continued. “We appreciate the work our substitute teachers do. But, it wouldn’t be fair to expect anyone to step into a classroom and do just as well as the regular teacher.” “We believe it is important that our teachers be in the classroom as much as possible,” said Black. “You only have 180 days to teach our students, and we would like to make every day count.” Regarding Article VII – Transfers: a written reason for the denial of a transfer request should not be necessary,” he said. “The reasons are usually easily under stood, and a conversation with the administration should suffice.” Therefore the board proposed Articles III, IV and VII remain current contract language regarding these items, he explained. “In regards to increasing the amount paid for lane changes, we just increased those amounts last year and believe they are comparable to other districts,” said Black. “And as for the automatic increase in the base salary, the board would rather have some flexibly in setting the hiring base salary.” “At this time our base salary is higher than most of the districts around us,” he said. “Before we present the Board’s initial proposal, I would like to begin by reminding the AWEA that as you know, our enrollment continues to decline,” said Black. “We have lost 146 students over the last nine years. Our top three grades today average 53 students while our bottom three grades average less than 35 students.” “If our enrollment continues to decline at this rate, some drastic changes will need to be made,” he said. “In addition, I am sure the AWEA is well aware of the legislation in South Dakota last year that could result in the loss of the 50 Greater Hoyt students following the 2008-2009 school year, he said. “While we are hoping that something will be worked out that will allow these students to continue to go to school here, we have no assurances that will happen.” “Losing these students would be roughly the equivalent of losing 80 students, since the Greater Hoyt district has always paid more than just tuition for the students to attend Akron- Westfield,” said Black. “The loss of these students would amount to approximately $425,000 at today’s rates.”

The Akron-Westfield boys had four players in double figures as they outran the Elk Point-Jefferson Huskies 66-52. A-W, on the road to Elk Point on Tuesday, Jan. 22 played very well. A-W jumped out to a 12-2 lead and kept 10 point lead most of the way. A-W moved the ball well and broke the Husky press time and again. A-W got the guys out on the fast break plus got Oetken and Koch underneath. Oetken had a good floor game as he jammed up the middle and wouldn’t let EP-J inside. EP-J made a run at A-W in the third quarter as Ben Staum got the hot hand and started draining threes. EP-J pulled within six 48-42. Derek Appley hit a three to put A-W back up 51-42 at the end of the third. A-W actually went on an 11-0 run as they pushed the lead to 59-42. EP-J scored one more field goal as A-W added to their total to finish it at 66-42. This was really a good win as A-W’s record now stands at 13-3.

The Akron-Westfield girls were on the road Friday, Jan. 25 to Granville to take on the Granville- Spalding Catholic ladies. A-W had a tough test for the first half as the Spartans kept pace with the Westerners. Spalding is a tough place to play for any visiting team. A-W came away with a 64-34 win. A-W led at the end of one 17-13 and had a real battle on their hands. At one time Spalding closed it to 25-24 before A-W regained control and had a 34-26 lead at halftime. In the second half A-W started with a 10-2 run and had

things their way. A-W jumped to a 15 point lead and really had excellent defense. The fourth quarter proved to be all A-W as the Westerners held the Spartans scoreless. Coach Johnson played a number of reserves and still shut-out the Spartans. A-W had three girls in double figures. Shelby Johnson led the way with 20, Mackenzie Heyl, 15, and Karly Groon who rebounded well had 15 at halftime and ended up with 17. The girls really played an excellent defensive game. They hustled and worked hard to battle up the Spartans. A-W’s record now stands at 13-4.

Akron-Westfield won over Hinton and Lawton-Bronson in a double dual event held at A-W on Tuesday, Jan. 22. This was also Parent’s Night with all the senior wrestlers, managers, cheerleaders and their parents being honored. In the first round A-W edged L-B 41-39. The match started with the 189 pound class. The fi rst three Westerners scored pins: John Sievert at 189 followed by David Hecht at 215 and Zach Langley at heavyweight. Langley, who is small for a heavyweight, really is wrestling well. A-W also got pins from Nick Hoffman and Brody Verschoor. Joe Sievert won 17-1 and Chad Morehead won by forfeit. This was a rugged match. A-W ran over Hinton 57-13. A-W gained 24 points on forfeits as

Hinton could not fill weights. The match of the night was Joe Sievert against top ranked Marcus Edgington at 145. Edgington who has handed Sievert his three losses for the year, narrowly won 5-4. Verschoor beat Michael Edgington 4-2. This was also a good match. Chad Morehead, John Sievert, David Hecht, and Zach Langley all won by pins. Senior wrestlers: Braxton Bursell, son of Drew and Deb Bursell; David Hecht, son of Ralph and Karen Hecht; Brandon Rollins, son of Brian and Amy Rollins; John Sievert, son of Tammy Miner; Austin Willer, son of Grayling and Janet Willer. Senior cheerleaders: Jennifer Roggatz, daughter of Byron Roggatz and Lisa Roggatz; Ashley Weenink, daughter of Scott and Kathy Weenink. Senior managers: Haley Banks, daughter of Kirk and Kathryn Banks; Jessica Horton, daughter of Gary and Theresa Horton; Elizabeth Mace, daughter of Rick and Amy Mace.

Alex Waterbury at 112 gives it his all against Lawton-Bronson, but lost by pin.