By Erin Maxson
 
November 11, 2009
 
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. -- Klamath County schools are split into two districts.
 
There is Klamath Falls City Schools and the Klamath County School District which covers suburban and rural schools.
 
At Peterson Elementary, the largest elementary school in the Klamath County School District, enrollment this year is at 532 students, up from last year. However, the number of teachers is not.
 
"Everything takes longer... It just takes longer to switch gears, so you lose that time," First Grade Teacher Kay Linman said.
 
"This year we have 18 teachers. We lost our councilor and we lost the equivalent of three positions," Peterson Elementary Principal Jim Smith said.
 
"Last year there were three full first grades and one of those positions was eliminated, so we've still got the numbers, the kids are still coming to us," Linman said.
 
3rd Grade Teacher Kathy Murillo has 33 kids in her class.
 
"At a time when you are not only trying to teach children to read but to summarize, to comprehend what they are reading, synthesize that information, it's a challenge to have 33 kids. And now we are not only learning how to add and subtract, but you're doing a lot of problem solving. You are introducing multiplication, division, place value to the millions. So, it is really difficult with 33 children to meet everyone's needs," Murillo said... "That's been a real challenge to me: To meet the needs of my average students and turn them into above average students. That gap is widening."
 
Teachers aren't alone in their classroom with a herd of children.
 
"I was really worried about that one on one attention but... those kids who do need extra help are getting it, from what I've seen in my classroom so far. I don't feel like I have any kids who aren't getting the assistance they need," Linman said.
 
There are still education aids, though the hours are reduced... And there are plenty of parent volunteers.
 
"We've always had involved parents, we have a very very supportive community. I'd say on average we have 10 in in a day, working in a classroom or just helping around school with activities," Peterson Elementary Principal Jim Smith said.
 
There is a long history of failed bonds and levees for the Klamath County School District.
 
"I would say, awareness in the community is probably the biggest thing," Linman said.
 
"There is a sense of distrust between the voters and the school district... A solution has to be found in our society, valuing education, valuing our youth, and putting not only money but time and attention toward the children that we have here in Klamath County," Murillo said.
 
These educators say change needs to not only happen at the local level, but statewide and across the country.
 
"Oregon has to find a way to stabilize funding for schools," Smith said. "That's Oregon's biggest challenge."
 
"I don't understand why we don't have the connection between the education and the success of our country ultimately," Murillo said.
 
Principal Jim Smith says he is satisfied the district didn't severely cut any one school, but rather spread the weight of the cuts out among all the schools.
 
Each building's operation budget was cut. Furlough days and programs like music, art and athletics were also trimmed to save the district money.