Published: February 17, 2009 10:51 pm      

Wiley Ford teachers concerned with fate of reading specialist

Uncertain fiscal future reason for calls to retain staff member

KEYSER, W.Va. — With an uncertain fiscal future as federal, state and local governments are all monitoring funds much more carefully, teachers and parents from Wiley Ford Elementary School are concerned they could lose a staff member.

“Instead of subtracting teachers from our schools, it seems more important now more than ever that we add to our schools,” Kathleen Brown, kindergarten teacher, said at Monday afternoon’s board meeting.

With state requirements asking more of Tier I and II reading and math, teachers said they are concerned at what a potential loss of their Tier II reading teacher, Mrs. Mary Anne Pannone, could mean for the school.

The tiered teaching method is a preventative measure to help students who would be at risk for difficulties in reading and math, and specific instruction in these areas is required by the state.

Teresa Wagner, second-grade teacher, said she knows that on her own, without Pannone to take certain students into smaller groups, she would be unable to instruct students as required.

Wagner said that if Wiley Ford Elementary loses its reading specialist, it would not only affect the elementary school, but it would impact a student’s future academic career.

Brown added that studies have shown that students who don’t learn to read are not successful as adults.

Skip Hackworth, schools superintendent, said that at this time, there have been no suggestions made to the board to cut this staff position from any of the schools.

“No decision or suggestion has been made,” Hackworth said. “We’re still at the planning stages for next year. We’re looking at enrollment and needs. We don’t know what’s in the stimulus package yet. We haven’t gotten (any information) for what we would get in Mineral County.”

Melissa Brieloff, a parent of a student in Pannone’s class, said that the work she has seen done has definitely been a help to students who would otherwise “fall through the cracks.”

She said that she couldn’t say enough about the work that Pannone does for the students and hopes that if this issue is ever brought before the board, that it would consider keeping Pannone and other instructors like her throughout the county.

Kevin Watson, board vice president, said that he had two of his own children work with Pannone and he felt the same as those speaking at the meeting.

Contact Sarah Moses at smoses@times-news.com.