Miss-Delectable
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Education Stories from KELO for South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota
The South Dakota School for the Deaf may have been saved from closure, but it's not safe from cutbacks. The school is facing some big changes in the next few months.
Limited enrollment has the Deaf School looking for ways to trim its budget, and the Board of Regents decided one way will come in the form of staff layoffs. Superintendent Terry Gregersen says the number of cuts is not yet known, but it could be as many as 15 of the 35 workers, maybe more.
"We're trying to figure out how to get more bang for our buck, and to do that you have to systemically review what's going on in the state," Gregersen said.
A speech program will also move to Brandon Valley's newest elementary school, which would affect around a dozen kids.
Part of the changes also includes doubling the outreach staff, so they're able to reach more children who need these kinds of services.
The move would bring the number from six to 12 and is in the school's budget. Gregersen says it's a positive step, and one of the few things that makes these changes easier to bear.
"It's been a very difficult time for us the last four months, but if you want to look for the silver lining, the positive, we'll have a much broader impact on deaf education statewide, and maybe have more students functioning independently across the state," said Gregersen.
Something that's been the school's mission since it began and will continue in the future.
The staff cuts will be announced next week, but some teachers will likely be re-hired to help with the auditory program in Brandon Valley.
The South Dakota School for the Deaf may have been saved from closure, but it's not safe from cutbacks. The school is facing some big changes in the next few months.
Limited enrollment has the Deaf School looking for ways to trim its budget, and the Board of Regents decided one way will come in the form of staff layoffs. Superintendent Terry Gregersen says the number of cuts is not yet known, but it could be as many as 15 of the 35 workers, maybe more.
"We're trying to figure out how to get more bang for our buck, and to do that you have to systemically review what's going on in the state," Gregersen said.
A speech program will also move to Brandon Valley's newest elementary school, which would affect around a dozen kids.
Part of the changes also includes doubling the outreach staff, so they're able to reach more children who need these kinds of services.
The move would bring the number from six to 12 and is in the school's budget. Gregersen says it's a positive step, and one of the few things that makes these changes easier to bear.
"It's been a very difficult time for us the last four months, but if you want to look for the silver lining, the positive, we'll have a much broader impact on deaf education statewide, and maybe have more students functioning independently across the state," said Gregersen.
Something that's been the school's mission since it began and will continue in the future.
The staff cuts will be announced next week, but some teachers will likely be re-hired to help with the auditory program in Brandon Valley.
