HOWARD — “What do you want for your kids?” That’s what East Knox Superintendent Matt Caputo wanted to know during the Community Conversation meeting held Thursday at East Knox Middle School, and only two parents were there to answer the question.
“I want my kids to get the same quality education here at East Knox that I got,” said Tabitha Smith. “People ask if sports are going to be cut if the levy fails. I think children’s education should come first. It’s not going to be pretty if the levy fails.”
“I want the community to come together and do the right things for the kids,” said Shelly Parker. “I want the younger children to have the same extras in high school the older children have had. They won’t be offered as much [financial aid] in college if they didn’t have any extras in high school.”
There was a sense of urgency as the need for the levy was discussed further. Caputo said the district has already cut staff and programs. “With less staff,” he said, “people are all doing more.”
High School Principal Ryan Gallwitz gave one example. He said math teacher William Humphrey teaches several periods of math classes, and also serves as the instructor for the Chinese Culture elective class. [Humphrey is certified in both math and social studies.]
