After the recent resignation of an art teacher, effective at the end of this school year, Sidney school officials are considering eliminating the elementary art program.

Sidney Superintendent of Schools Doug Sullivan told trustees during Tuesday's committee meetings that he's held discussions with administrators regarding the possibility. Art classes aren't required at the elementary level. In grades 7-12, art classes must be offered but students aren't required to take them.

Sullivan's recommendation is to eliminate art education for grades K-6. Officials feel the current high school art teacher can also instruct classes at the middle school (grades 7-8) level. "In the elementary level, we are going to be facing some fairly difficult decisions," school board chairman Bill Ackley said.

Currently, students in grades K-5 have art class once a week.

Trustee Todd Hermanson says his first-grade son loves art, and he would hate to see the program eliminated. "But I also understand budget restraints."

"That's one of the difficulties when the district decides to cut a program," Sullivan said. "There are always some or many students that are affected."

The superintendent estimates the elementary district will have $58,000 less in funding next school year than this school year.

Trustee Jay Sissel pointed out that art education is an established program and its funding has been in place.

"But the funding level is dropping to the point where you have to say what stays and doesn't," trustee Dennis Lorenz said.

Trustees discussed options of having teachers add art to their curriculum or having high school art students help with projects.

"Kids have to have that creativeness," trustee Kelly Dey said. "I hate for that to be lost."

Sullivan said because there are many questions, he won't bring the matter up for approval at Monday's school board meeting.

"We will bring this back to you in four weeks. But we do need a decision one way or another," Sullivan told trustees.

In other news during Tuesday's committee meetings:

Architect Gary Levine answered various questions regarding repairs at Sidney High School.

A crack has been noticed by Sidney High School Principal Dan Farr on the new track surface.

"My guess is that it has to be the asphalt moving and taking the rubber with it," Levine said. "It's a real hairline crack, but it's a crack."

When Fischer Construction arrives next week to continue work in the multi-purpose room, the track problem will be attempted to be solved.

After hearing about the excess heat in the balcony during the District 2-C basketball tournament, Levine and trustees discussed various possible solutions.

Levine said one of the problems is the vents are located above the playing floor and not the balcony. He will look into having grills put in the balcony in order to increase air circulation.

Levine added he will talk to engineers for possible other solutions.

Trustees discussed several board policy changes.

Trustees decided not to ban cell phones during the school day at this point. If problems do arise, however, trustees will review the policy again. Concerns include text messaging test information or taking photos of tests.

Trustees set July 1, 2008, as a date to have automated external defibrillators and training in place.

Another proposal was eliminating gambling by students on school trips. This included gambling on busses and playing machines in casinos. Sullivan said he recently spoke to two parents who are upset about gambling conducted during school trips.

Ackley said if the policy is approved, then 50-50 tickets and raffle tickets should also be prohibited.

"We better be willing to carry it out to the furthest extent," Ackley said. He added that he feels it's a parent's problem and not a school's problem.

Trustees agreed that they won't make a policy at this time, but banning gambling will be discussed if problems occur.

During his curriculum report, Farr discussed the importance of vocational education. He said 20 percent of Sidney High School's students participate in vocational classes.

While No Child Left Behind pushes for college prep programs, Farr notes college educations only cover 20 percent of the job market.

In a projected job growth report, 80 percent of the jobs need on-job training or an associates degree rather than a four-year college degree.

"We need to take a serious look of how the courses line up with current job trends," Farr said.

editor@sidneyherald.com