Students, teachers, and community members spoke out against the reduction-in-force, or RIF, during the Freeport School District’s Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, March 24.
This level of community support is unprecedented in 12 years Accrording to Freeport Education Association President Kelly Everding.
“We recognized that there are no good decisions when it comes to this issue, but it is especially hard when people’s livelihoods are impacted on this issue,” Everding said.
The students were primarily concerned about the staff who impact the student body each day.
“For the students, it brought a lot of confusion and surprise,” senior Alexia Newcomer said. “It is not fair for the people who have dedicated their lives to us will have to get pulled away in such an unfortunate case.”
Various members of the community spoke about the RIF during public comment.
Maggie Schrock, a junior who is a part of Future Farmers of America, spoke about the importance of club advisors.
“Mrs. DeVries and FFA have given us a sense of belonging,” Schrock said. “There is always room for someone in this group where you can grow friendships, grow as people, and grow confidence within yourself.”
Two students, Jose Lozano-Rodriguez and Cainan Becker, organized for students to speak at the board meeting, where they surveyed students of the school about their personal positive experiences with teacher at the school district and presented it to the board.
Bode Peters and Rodriguez presented their survey data to the board and noted the advocacy of the students for their teachers. The survey had more than 200 responses.
Jocelyn Walsh, Madelyne Spaide, Steven Van, Dean Hartman, and Peters were among the students who signed up to speak.
“It felt good saying what needed to be said, ” Van said. “It might be too late for change, but it might not. The important thing is to let them know our outrage and their effects on the community. I think we got the messages across to them.”
Haley Kurtz, a teacher, spoke, even though she was nervous. “I felt empowered after all the students talked because they gave me the courage to speak. I believe that the students in the community that I grew up in deserve quality teachers and support staff. The community that I grew up in deserves employees who care.
The board approved the staff layoffs at the April 7 board meeting.
