Johnson clarifies concerns on business classes

By: 
Luke Reimer
Reporter

Concerns were raised about the future of the business department in the Gillett School District during the school board meeting on April 20.

Gillett junior Bradin Bjelland said during the public comment portion that it was revealed that the business department was going to be cut during a senior class scheduling meeting on April 5.

“This was one month after the applications for the NWTC program — Start College Now — was due,” said Bjelland. “I wonder how our student body is supposed to plan for something like this. Our school is unsure of an online program for classes, since cancelling Triton, even though they have already given and set deadlines for schedules to be due.”

Gillett interim Superintendent Wayne Johnson addressed the concern of the business department being cut after the meeting, saying that the school district is not cutting back this department and could see it expand with the technical education department in the future.

“There was a cutoff date to take business classes through the technical college — March 1 to sign up,” said Johnson. “That date had been pushed back to allow three students to sign up late for those classes.”

Johnson added that Gillett offered an accounting class, which only saw two students partake in the first semester of the school year and one student in the second semester.

“It is hard to approve in-person classes with only one or two students,” said Johnson. “Online options are available in those situations.”

A change in faculty might have led to concerns over the department being cut, said Johnson.

“With finding qualified staff today, we have to get creative to serve the needs of our students, just like every other school district in Wisconsin,” said Johnson. “At one time, I experienced anywhere from 50 on up applicants when I had an opening. Today you are lucky to get one to five candidates.”


lreimer@newmedia-wi.com