A discussion took place earlier this month about options for the Greene County Middle School band teacher position.

With the resignation of Hanna Sundberg, who is moving to Des Moines, the School Board discussed several options of what to do with the position. One option was to advertise it and see what kinds of applicants there are. Another option was to share the position with Paton-Churdan and a third option was to not hire anyone for that position and instead split the responsibilities between the rest of the district’s band staff.

Intermediate band teacher Bob Palmer told the School Board that if they decided not to hire someone for the position, it would reduce their staff by 33 percent and therefore would also reduce the amount of time that students can have for lessons along with the quality of the program and collaboration within the music department. However, if a reduction was made, then both Palmer and high school band teacher Wes Anderson would make the programs work.

Superintendent Tim Christensen says the district can’t cut the position because they are past that deadline.

“April 1st is the deadline for making any teacher reductions. So we’re past that so we cannot make anymore teacher reductions other than if someone resigns, as again looking at the band teacher. The decision can be made not to replace them, but in terms of what a person would consider to be a cut, we’re past that date for teachers.”

If the School Board chose not to hire someone, it would save the district about $40,000. Other potential reductions include classified positions like a custodial or classroom associate position, which would save the district between $20,000 and $40,000. Christensen points out the one variable they are waiting on is the teacher settlement with the union.

The School Board decided to advertise for the open band teacher position.