As sixth hour draws to a close, the anxious students enrolled in Vernon Burden’s seventh hour math class prepare themselves for the wild race to his room, B-115. Burden’s Pre-Calculus class is so massive that students often have to stand or sit behind the teacher’s desk.
Burden testifies to having a class of 40 students. “The seats are first come, first serve,” says Burden, “If he or she is not one of the first 35 students, then they must stand.”
Senior Alexis Williams explains her mad dash to class and the learning environment within the classroom. “This is the largest class I have ever been in. His room is in B-House and my sixth hour is in D-House, so I literally have to run to class just to get a seat. The class is overcrowded and the noise levels are distracting,” says Williams.
Larger class sizes
Enormous class sizes are new phenomenon at Southfield High School. Deputy Superintendent Kenson Siver says these changes in class size have been caused by budget cuts, faculty reductions and declining enrollment. “Five years ago, our budget was $136 million, whereas this year, we are operating with $100 million. We are managing to the best of our ability,” Siver says.
Although Burden’s class may be one of the largest, there are other classrooms with a surplus of students. Along with larger classes, the new learning conditions that have resulted from budget cuts are impacting both students and teachers.
Staff reductions
As class sizes have been filled to the brim, the number of remaining staff members has dropped significantly. The faculty size has decreased from 110 four years ago to 63 this year, according to Principal Michael Horn.
Budget cuts have pushed layoffs and displacements upon many celebrated teachers and administrators. Among the teachers who have moved, one of the most respected is Cheryl Dunn-Elam. She coordinated the Business Academy and the award-winning Business Professionals of America (BPA) student organization. Her absence has left business students in a state of uncertainty. Although the academies and organizations are still running, her displacement to Southfield-Lathrup High School caused stress among Dunn-Elam’s students.
Senior Tiffany Lester says, “It’s sad. Mrs. Dunn-Elam was over BPA, and now that she is gone, we are at a blank start.” Lester says that the new BPA adviser, Erin McBrien, has jumped right in, “but we are still at a disadvantage,” Lester said.
The big squeeze
Decreased enrollment and teaching staff cuts fueled the growing number of students per class. Last year, English classes held a maximum of 24 students. On the other hand, this year, the maximum was raised to 32, and some English classes have already exceeded that number. “I have to squeeze in more desks, check more papers, and make more copies than ever before.,” said English Department Chair Robert MacFarland. “These large classes have really altered the way I do things.”
The way we were
As another result of budget cuts, many services that were available to students and teachers last year are no longer provided at Southfield High.
Other cuts and changes include:
• School library hours were reduced from five days per week to two and a half days.
• The school book depository has had no supervisor for book distribution, so distribution is slower to students.
• Late buses are no longer offered in the Southfield Public Schools District. Students who stay after school must find their own way home.
• Secretarial services were privatized and the school is operating with new secretaries who are learning their jobs.
• Security services were privatized and the security staff is new.
The good news
In spite of the school’s shrinking pains, positive things have also surfaced. In the past, Southfield High School has shuffled between numerous principals and assistant principals. Conversely, this year the school has maintained stability in leadership. School Principal Michael Horn remains at the helm for his fifth straight year, assisted by two returning assistant principals: Columbus Moore and Alise Collier.
Additionally, the class of 2011 made Adequate Yearly Progress (A.Y.P.) this year, which is a first in the history of Southfield High.
The bad news
Siver says the future will likely hold even more cuts for Southfield Public Schools. He says enrollment is projected to continue its decline, not just in Southfield, but in many neighboring school districts. “Housing values have also dropped in Michigan,” Siver says, “which reduces the tax base needed to support schools. Due to rising costs, more budget cuts will surely be made (in the future). The standard cuts that have been made this year will most likely recur next school year as well. The depth depends on our savings and what the state legislature allows,” says Siver.
Looking ahead
In spite of these things, senior Anyssa Jones still speaks highly of the school and says she considers it a safe and sophisticated environment. “Even though the school has seen a lot of change, there are still good teachers here. I have learned a lot so far.”