Deficit leads board to RIF employees
By NICK VLAHOS
For The Weekly Post
WILLIAMSFIELD – It could have been worse.
Instead of laying off all 10 district paraprofessionals as planned, the Williamsfield School Board voted Monday night to let go of four. Board President Chad Goff suggested the modification.
The teacher’s-aide reductions, coupled with laying off two food-service workers, would help culminate the district’s paring of at least a $500,000 deficit, according to Goff.
“Our expenses for the month were $98,000. Our payroll was $414,000 for the month,” Goff said in front of about 20 attendees, many of them paraprofessionals. “In order for us to get that $500,000 … unfortunately, we have to do a reduction in force.
“There’s not a single person sitting in this room that wants any of you to lose their jobs.”
Interim Superintendent Rolf Sivertsen suggested the board cut all 10 aides, then recall two shortly before the 2025-26 academic year. Goff didn’t agree.
“Then you have more anxiety,” he said. “I just don’t want to put somebody through that.”
Paraprofessionals Alexsia Brown, Nicole Dewitt, Stephanie Koch and Aggie Powers were laid off. Colleagues Mindy Bruner, Wendi Hughs-Benson, Melissa Jacobus, Theresa Raff, Jaela Richmond and Annette Sams were retained.
Layoffs were based on seniority. Laid-off aides will have callback rights for one year, should any remaining aides leave.
Lisa Hanson was the only one of seven board members to vote against the layoffs. She suggested the board look at other cost-cutting options, including perhaps eliminating the school resource officer. The district has a contract with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office for that position.
Goff said teachers and other Billtown staffers suggested cost savings that have been implemented. The board also eliminated two teaching positions last month, approved a $1.1 million working-cash bond issue and probably will propose a property-tax increase for district voters to consider.
“We have to look within,” Goff said. “We have to make that attempt before we go to the taxpayers.”
According to Goff, paraprofessionals’ combined salaries have risen by $100,000 over 10 years, to $243,000.
Before board members voted, five audience members asked them to spare the aides. Among the speakers was Richmond, as well as two teachers.
“Would you build a house on sand without a strong foundation? Then why would you consider taking away an integral part of a strong academic foundation?” said 3rd grade teacher Brooke Traphagan, who partners with Sams in the classroom.
After the board approved Brown as the first paraprofessional layoff, Traphagan left the meeting room brusquely. She wasn’t the only one whose nerves appeared to be on edge.
“I have seen the value in aides with both of my kids, and I don’t like this. It sucks,” Board Member Wes Wrage said. “Nobody wants to do this. But I also don’t want the school to be in a financial position where we keep having to borrow money. We’ve been living beyond our means for a long time.”
By unanimous board vote, food-service employees Lori Moore and Kenya Peeples were laid off. They are among five food-service workers. According to Goff, that department is overstaffed, based on state recommendations and nearby districts.
In other business, the board approved hiring Douglas Gilbrath as a part-time custodian. Also authorized was a three-year contract with Thompson Electronics Co. of Peoria to test and inspect the building fire-alarm system. Annual cost is $2,176.
The 2025-26 district calendar received board approval as well. The first day of classes is Aug. 12 and the last day is to be May 28, with spring break from April 3-12.
