Southland eliminates elementary principal position to cut costs

In a cost-cutting measure, the Southland Board of Education made the unanimous decision to eliminate one of the district's two principal positions, combining the duties into a single K-12 principal position. The change will go into effect at the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year.

According to Superintendent Raymond Lasley, the decision for the change came during the executive session portion of the board's meeting on Thursday evening, and was made in anticipation of federal and state budget cuts. Of the two current principals, Elementary Principal Alicia Shaw and High School Principal Tim Wilkerson, the decision was made to offer the position to Wilkerson.

Lasley said Shaw will be moved back to a classroom teaching position.

"We plan on it saving a teacher's salary," Lasley said. "We plan on cutting some teachers, but that is one position we won't have to cut. For her salary, it gives us one more teacher in the classroom."

Lasley said Wilkerson has an assistant principal, which will ease some of the work load.

Prior to the executive session, Lasley gave his report to the board, informing them that the district was approved to purchase a set of laptop computers for students with reading disabilities.

"They are laptop computers that are installed with what is called text-to-speech software and it will read anything you run through it," Lasley said. "Primarily, we are going to use them with students who have a reading comprehension disability or a basic reading disability."

Lasley said the software has several options, including the type of voice that is reading and the speed that which it is read.

"If they come across a word that they don't know, all they have to do is click the mouse and it will define the word for them," Lasley said.

Lasley said the purchase is being made through an ARRA grant that will cover the cost of the 25 computers and software. The district will be required to cover the cost of the backpacks for the units.

Lasley said the district will check the laptops out to the students, who will turn the units in at the end of the school year.

Board member Lonnie Gibson, Jr., questioned what happens if the laptops are not turned in. Lasley said the orders are to inform the parents when the laptops are given to the students that if they are not turned in, the parents will be required to pay for the cost of the laptop, $2,000.

Also during the meeting, the board approved changes to the district's calendar to allow more classroom time before the Missouri Assessment Program test.

"So far this year, we have missed six days because of weather," Lasley said.

Lasley recommended making up three of the six days on President's Day, a March 19 teacher workday; Good Friday, which is April 2.

The board approved the recommendation.