Waterville area parents begin transition process for the closing of Waterville Elementary School
by Brianne Eilers
At its December 2017 regular meeting, the Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors voted unanimously to close Waterville Elementary at the end of the 2017-2018 school year. With that decision made, the process has begun to transition Waterville Elementary students and staff into the elementary schools in Waukon, a process involving administration and staff of the Allamakee Community School District, parents of Waterville Elementary students, the students themselves and community members, some of whom are part of a transition team in place working on strategies to make the changes easier on all students involved.
Danette and Shawn Gibbs of rural Waterville have four children, two who are currently still at Waterville Elementary. Danette commented that the Waterville parents are sad to see the school close, but understand the school board had to make its decision based on what would be best for the entire Allamakee Community School District. “Waterville is a nice, little school and the kids get lots of one-on-one attention,” Danette said, adding, “The kids are sad.”
She pointed out that the class sizes at East and West Elementary schools in Waukon with the added students from Waterville look “decent,” however, there are concerns about the class sizes. One question out there is if the school district could possibly find it in its budget to allow for the hiring of more paraprofessionals to help out the teachers in the classrooms and give any student who needs a little extra help some one-on-one time.
“We know the Waukon teachers do a great job," Danette said. She hopes that the Waterville teachers who move to Waukon will be able to get similar positions. "Some of these Waterville teachers go above and beyond," Danette said. She says for her kids, participating in Park and Rec activities and knowing other Waukon students from that and Sunday school will help with the transition. “We are sad to see Waterville close, but we are glad it stayed open as long as it did," she said.
Angie and Bob Mettille are members of the “transition team,” which is comprised of Waterville, East and West Elementary School parents; teachers and principals from Waterville, East and West; the ACSD guidance counselor and ACSD board member Scott Melcher.
"I went to Waterville Elementary from preschool to sixth grade," Angie said. "I have all positive memories from those years." The Mettilles currently have two boys who attend Waterville Elementary, but she says they are having a hard time understanding why their school will not be open next school year. “They are sad their two little brothers will never be able to go there," Angie added.
She noted the fact that Waterville Elementary received a rating of “high performance" on its most recent Iowa School Report Card. "This solidifies my confidence that my boys have received a high quality education while attending Waterville," she said. While the decision to close the school has been disappointing, Angie said that it is time to move forward and focus on how to make the transition as smooth as possible for the students. The transition team has not had many meetings as of yet, but the plan is to have events for the Waterville families, especially the students, to help them get acclimated to their new schools and surroundings before the start of the 2018-2019 school year.
"We want them to be as comfortable as possible, as much of their school routine will be altered," Angie said. She says they know the kids will adjust and the parents as well. “We have been happy with the effort and compassion everyone involved on this transition team has shown to the situation,” Angie shared. “We are hopeful their high-quality education will continue in the ACSD, just in different buildings, surrounded by their familiar teachers and friends, and new teachers and friends as well.”
