South Walton Fifth Graders Might Be Moved to Middle School

By the way, neither South Walton High School nor Butler opened at or above capacity.

It was a tough call Tuesday. Here is what happened at Butler. Yes, we have now constructed a new middle school (which, by the way, many people said was not needed when we started it) and the old ECMS is available to the Butler kids beginning next year. There would be roughly 144 extra student stations available if we were moving middle school kids from Butler to the old ECMS. But, with the class size amendment, we can have more kids in a middle school classroom than an elementary class room, so that "extra space" is reduced by 4 bodies per available classrooms. Those number DO NOT include portables.

I want to do away with portables as soon as possible. Just my prejudice.

Give the historical growth patterns, we believed when we started on the new ECMS, that once we completed the new ECMS and allow Butler to take over the old ECMS we would have more than ample space, without portables, for the k-5 students.

Unfortunately, a trend started developing last year where the historical data just went out the window. Butler grew much faster beginning at the end of last school year and during this school year than we ever anticipated. In fact, faster than anyone anticipated. Also, for some reason, our special student education population grew quickly at Butler and Bay. Those kids often have be put in a classrom of less than ten kids, putting further pressure on the space down there. So, as I said at both the parent meeting and the board meeting, we got caught with our britches down.

We will fix the problem through construction eventually. Fortunately, we designed the new ECMS as a K-8 facility so that the "core facilities" the kitchen, office, media center, can accomodate a new elementary wing adjacent to the school. That will certainly speed up building those new classrooms.

One idea that has been floated for the future is to build the elementary school wing at the new ECMS site. Turn Butler and the new elementary wing into 2 - 5 centers and convert Bay into a Pre-K, Kindergarten and 1st grade center.

The move of the 5th graders to the middle school will be, I believe, a stop gap measure to allow us to catch up. We will start the capital outlay budget cycle in June and I am sure, given what has happened in elementary grades in south Walton, we will dramtically change that plan. I trust that the administration and teachers at ECMS will do an excellent job at shielding and protecting the 5th graders from too much pain.

Thanks guys for the input.....

Mark, thanks for your post.
I agree with you about the portables. My granddaughter is in one this year, and when I went to have lunch and visit the other day, I thought it was "cramped, and closed in" feeling. (That's not a complaint just an observation.)

I guess it is hard to anticipate the growth in a place like South Walton.

One more question though: would it not have been less disruptive to move as many students as possible into the space vacated by the middle school; use portables for the (hopefully) few remaining students left for this coming year; and then initiate the move to the new middle school space the following year, after the students and the parents had been informed about it and the reasons for it....

I think all too often here in Walton County, things are thrust upon people with little lead time and even less explanation and the human nature reaction is usually not a positive one.

Many are not able to attend School Board meetings--but, even those seem less informative than they might be. Just my opinion...generally, I think our schools in Walton County are very good. They might be better if the communication system between school administrators and parents and others in the community was improved. Hopefully, the compromise position will work out for everyone involved.

How does the 1/2 mill transfer from Capital to Operating (to be held in May as a single item election) affect your ability to build what you want. Do you have sufficient capital revenues projected to handle this need or should voters not support the transfer to help with this project.

Do we need to postpone the 6 million dollar football filed project to speed up this critical need.

How does the 1/2 mill transfer from Capital to Operating (to be held in May as a single item election) affect your ability to build what you want. Do you have sufficient capital revenues projected to handle this need or should voters not support the transfer to help with this project.

Do we need to postpone the 6 million dollar football filed project to speed up this critical need.

Good luck Bob, you're treading on sacred ground there.

Sometimes life presents us with choices:


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No Ball field + no 1/2 mill transfer = 11.5 million for a new wing now !

I am really just picking at Mark, both questions are loaded and he knows it, but it is a real option. I also know who really, really wanted the new ball field.

How does the 1/2 mill transfer from Capital to Operating (to be held in May as a single item election) affect your ability to build what you want. Do you have sufficient capital revenues projected to handle this need or should voters not support the transfer to help with this project.

Do we need to postpone the 6 million dollar football filed project to speed up this critical need.

Bob: I believe we will have sufficient revenues in capital outlay to build the classroom space in south Walton even with the half mill transfer. That opinion is based on the projections I have seen regarding our tax base.

Obviously, I agree that classrooms come before the improvements to the outdoor facilities at WHS. It is not just the football stadium. As you know, we have serious ADA problems with the football, baseball and softball facilities and we need to get them corrected, but, priorities are what they are and classroom space is necessary.

You might recall we lowered the capital outlay millage last year. I voted for it after we compromised on a smaller cut than proposed, but, I was afraid we would need the money later. We don't have any other large projects except for the new sixth grade wing at WMS. But, that may have to wait as well.

We will come up with a responsible plan.

Generally you have to commend the Walton School Board as being responsible and responsive. They do not often get caught with their britches down.

Bob: I believe we will have sufficient revenues in capital outlay to build the classroom space in south Walton even with the half mill transfer. That opinion is based on the projections I have seen regarding our tax base.

Obviously, I agree that classrooms come before the improvements to the outdoor facilities at WHS. It is not just the football stadium. As you know, we have serious ADA problems with the football, baseball and softball facilities and we need to get them corrected, but, priorities are what they are and classroom space is necessary.

You might recall we lowered the capital outlay millage last year. I voted for it after we compromised on a smaller cut than proposed, but, I was afraid we would need the money later. We don't have any other large projects except for the new sixth grade wing at WMS. But, that may have to wait as well.

We will come up with a responsible plan.

I sure you will Mark but I truly believe that this is a very difficult year for schools. Until we see what the legislature does it can change dramatically.

I still say we fund schools with the wrong revenue stream, but thats just me I guess. We need more stability in revenue streams.

Thanks for your answer - part of my question was tongue in cheek.

I understand what you are saying. I was thinking how the children must feel to not have their last year as the "big kids on campus" at their school...

That, and the fact that it seems Walton Co School system just can't plan ahead, is the frustrating point.

On the other hand, it is a good opportunity to learn to deal with unexpected changes...which is certainly a life lesson worth learning.

From what I've seen, I think we could use some change in the school administration...

I hope that you will consider your idea for "change in the school administration" very carefully. I remember quite well the superintendent from 96-2000 who was crucified for building schools that didn't have enough students. I believe it was your political party members who pushed the campaign. Carlene is doing an excellent job. I would hope that people would be a little slower to question her decisions than they were in this area a decade ago. But then again, as one of my favorite long time resident stated
"in South Walton we take one step forward and 2 steps back".

Actually, the class size amendment requires 22 students per classroom for grades 4-8. So, the old ECMS building could house Butler 4th and 5th graders at the same rate and not lose "4 bodies" per classroom. Only grades K-3 must be at 18 students per classroom.

I sure you will Mark but I truly believe that this is a very difficult year for schools. Until we see what the legislature does it can change dramatically.

I still say we fund schools with the wrong revenue stream, but thats just me I guess. We need more stability in revenue streams.

Thanks for your answer - part of my question was tongue in cheek.

We certainly agree on that point. I figured you were joking a bit.

In the 15 years I have been on the school board, funding has been all over the place. We have had exceptionally fat years and then exceptionally lean years. Many times back to back. It is very difficult to plan out more than a year because of that roller coaster ride associated with funding.

I agree regarding the legislature and funding. I think they are going to leave capital outlay alone. However, the operations side is going to take a large hit. That will certainly affect planning. You cannot build building and then not have the money to put teachers in them.

But, you never know until the legislature passes a budget goes home.

Thanks for the comments......

I hope that you will consider your idea for "change in the school administration" very carefully. I remember quite well the superintendent from 96-2000 who was crucified for building schools that didn't have enough students. I believe it was your political party members who pushed the campaign. Carlene is doing an excellent job. I would hope that people would be a little slower to question her decisions than they were in this area a decade ago. But then again, as one of my favorite long time resident stated
"in South Walton we take one step forward and 2 steps back".

Unfortunately in any school system you are basically trying to wedge teachers, politicians, and administrators between children and their parents. That's a place most cage fighters, dare devils, and Bering Sea crabbers don't want to be. Knee jerk is the reaction in most cases and you have to be prepared for it and ready to soothe the mob.

Actually, the class size amendment requires 22 students per classroom for grades 4-8. So, the old ECMS building could house Butler 4th and 5th graders at the same rate and not lose "4 bodies" per classroom. Only grades K-3 must be at 18 students per classroom.

As this years 3rd graders move up to the 4th & 5th grades there will not be enough room for them in the current Butler/ECMS bldg... and to repeat about the ESE and PreK-d classes - we have more of those classes and are legally bound to educate & accommodate those that choose to attend. Because of the class size regulations & those classrooms & the future grades being so much bigger than the current 4th & 5th I think this decision is taking all of that into consideration. As it is right now Butler's music room is the stage in the cafeteria... moving to the current ECMS bldg will not be the end all solution. Those that think it is need to know more facts than rumors.

It's a lot more than just what's on the surface.

As this years 3rd graders move up to the 4th & 5th grades there will not be enough room for them in the current Butler/ECMS bldg... and to repeat about the ESE and PreK-d classes - we have more of those classes and are legally bound to educate & accommodate those that choose to attend. Because of the class size regulations & those classrooms & the future grades being so much bigger than the current 4th & 5th I think this decision is taking all of that into consideration. As it is right now Butler's music room is the stage in the cafeteria... moving to the current ECMS bldg will not be the end all solution. Those that think it is need to know more facts than rumors.

It's a lot more than just what's on the surface.

good point. Why do you suppose there isn't better communication among all parties, especially parents of the children affected?

I'm not sure, but if all parents were involved in all the decisions of the elected school board then nothing would be solved. The reason there is a board is so there is a body governing the decisions of the school district. there is no way every parent is going to agree on everything - so it falls on the school board to decide & take the heat.

There are positions for parents to volunteer for that will help them be more informed, but no one wants to volunteer for them because the majority of the parents are working (some 2 jobs) & it involves time out of their busy personal life to commit to driving to DFS for meetings & traveling to the schools to audit things. If the parents out there that are available to volunteer to do it would let the PTO know what's going on I'm sure the PTO would then inform the parents of what is known.

I am not pro-Carlene or against her, but looking at the growth at Butler over the last 6 years it is obvious that there is no way all students will fit in the school under regulations and the decision shouldn't have been too much of a surprise. However - it should have been made earlier in the school year & parents should have been informed sooner.

When my child moves to the middle school for 5th grade I know she will be getting to use the latest technology in a new facility. Most of the now 4th grader kids I've heard talking are excited to go. The parents are the ones who don't want their kids to move... Just because they are moving to the middle school doesn't mean they will not be in 5th grade still. It seems to work for DMS, and the kids I know that went there in 5th grade are doing well.

Kindergartners ride with 5th graders on the bus now & that is a huge age gap. 6th graders ride busses with 12th graders now too and they are fine. Having 5th graders on the bus with 8th graders will be ok too.

Maybe I am naive, but I believe my kids will be fine. We have prepared them for all kinds of things in life. We talk about drugs, sex, strangers, bullying, fighting, standing up for themselves, right & wrong, and when they come home with a question about anything we answer honestly and openly about what's right & wrong about it & consequences.

"it should have been made earlier in the school year & parents should have been informed sooner. "

that was my only point. I tend to think there is more to this than meets the eye, but regardless, the communication certainly could have been handled more appropriately IMO.

Maybe now is the time to organize a group of representatives from Butler, Bay, ECMS, Seaside, and South Walton HS. This group could attend school board meetings, keep up with issues that affect our schools, represent our schools' educational interests, and keep parents and teachers up-to-date on school district matters that affect South Walton schools.

Even better, this group could even write a summary of each school board meeting for the school newsletters. I think many parents are interested in knowing what is going on and how things work, but the process and distance is cumbersome. Also, many work and have kids in activities at night. I know I know, there were some meetings down here, but they were discontinued before they ever had a chance to take root. The DeFuniak Herald/Beach Breeze covers the meetings, but not all parents get the paper. (Another reason why everyone should subscribe to this paper- to know what is going on in Walton County.)

Communication is key, but we may have to create the way the information gets to us.

I'll bet parents in other cities who worry about their children being gunned down or kidnapped would love to only worry about something like this.

shuffle kids around like cattle, take away teacher pay/benefits, and then complain you are over taxed living in a state with no income tax. time to brew some bitter tea.