This story was originally published on October 5, 2010
Superintendent of the Omaha Westside School District, Jacquie Estee, announced Monday that the district would be implementing a wave of program and staff cuts in an effort to cope with current financial woes.
Among the cut staff were Westside High School Principal Pat Hutchings’ personal masseuse, six maintenence crew members and the acting troupe who had formerly comprised Superintendent Estee’s live actor chess set.
Effects of the cuts will extend to all tiers of the school district which includes nine elementary schools in addition to Westside High School and Westside Middle School.
“I believe that we here at Westside share a collective school spirit that will continue to shine even through these hard times,” said Westside High School student body president Michelle Hammond. “Still, I will really miss the valet parking.”
At Rockbrook Elementary, students have been forced to cope without the use of basic amenities.
“They took our iPads,” said second grade math teacher Leanne Davenport. “How can children be expected to learn without an iPad?” Davenport’s students have been reduced to the use of laptops that have been out of date since 2009. “So much for no child left behind.”
Many students have already begun taking action to maintain normalcy in their school.
“When we heard that our school needed money we knew we had to help, so that’s why we decided to hold a car wash fundraiser,” said Westside sixth grader Aubry Fauller. “We held a bake sale too, to pay the Mexicans outside Home Depot to was all the cars. My maid Esperanza makes fabulous cupcakes.”
Programs outside the classroom were hit the hardest, including an array of sports and special interest clubs.
“I just fear this is a sign of things to come,” said Westside High varsity polo coach Chuck Holten. “The fox hunting team has been cut, the yacht club is gone, my players have been forced to share horses. Actually share horses.”
Faced with the potential for another round of budget cuts in the spring semester, anxiety among faculty is running high.
“Can you imagine a day when schoolchildren have never played a single chukka of polo?” said Holten. “That’s not a world I want to live in.”