Budget Cuts Interview

Mrs. Krista Pawlicki (Developmental Psychology teacher)

1) For those who may not know, could you please describe the DP program?
Developmental Psychology is a unique program that has been around for over 30 years in district 196. It is the only program like it in the state of Minnesota. It is a peer to peer prevention program that deals with issues such as chemical use, self-image, bullying, values, whole health and positive decision making for life. It is a program where selected senior students teach 6th grade students at the middle schools about the issues identified earlier. Research from the Minnesota student survey suggests that peer to peer prevention works the most effectively and efficiently in teaching this type of information to 6th grade students. Developmental Psychology is a lot more than just a prevention program, the relationships that are built between senior students and their 6th grade students last for many years to come, essentially, the senior students are role models for the 6th grade students.

2)How soon will we see the budget cuts effects on the DP program?
The budget cuts take place beginning next school year (2010-2011).

3)Clarification point: Will there still be a DP program next year?
There will still be a DP program next year, but it will look quite a bit different.

4)As of now, what does the DP program look like next year?
At this point, we are still not sure what it will look like, but there have been discussions about having different teachers teach it, different class sizes throughout the school year and differences in how the class operates. We will get creative in how we operate!

5)How will the teachers be changing their lesson plans to fit with the budget cuts?
Depending on how far the cuts go (right now it is at 33% across the district), we may need to combine some lessons or even cut some out. The DP teaching year might be cut by a few weeks—we are not quite sure yet!

6)Although things are very unclear right now, is DP program's future in danger at this point?
Yes, it is! There will most likely be more and deeper cuts next year, so DP will be one of the programs that is likely to be up for discussion again next year!

Caitlin Ochtera (current DP student)

1) Being a student in DP this year, how has this class impacted your educational career, and if applicable, your life outside of the school walls?
Outside of school I would say it helped me to stay confident in my choice of refraining from chemical use. There are ten other people with the same commitment which makes it easier, and gives you support that many students aren't lucky enough to find. Inside of school it allowed me to meet a lot of people that I probably wouldn’t have gotten the chance to talk to, thats the cool part about it, many of us are from different social groups so at the beginning of the year, some of these kids were perfect strangers and now they're all my best friends. It also gives me the oppotunity to exmplore teaching and if I want to be one its going to helpa lot!

2) What are your feelings about the budget cuts for DP next year?
I dont know, I just think that the ewhole process is confusing at this point. I don’t think it should change that much its a very good good class, offering great opportunities and I think that there are some classes that aren’t as necessary or important as DP, that should be more under the budget cuts' influence. I think they should keep DP how it it is right now, the same.

3) If you and your classmates are planning to try to make a difference in the district's decision, how so?
Well hopefully our work in refraining the 6th graders from using chemicals in their futures, it will show the district that keeping DP is the way to go.

4) How do you think that major budget cuts in the system, leading to changes in the course structure, would effect the DP program?
For one, I'd think it will not be as organized and close knitted as it is now. The bonds that are the core of the program will be much harder to form. In combining the classes it will not be as productive, and overall, whole atmosphere would change, its hard to tell right now whether it would be for the better as well.

5) What is one aspect of DP that you think can NOT be changed by the effects of the budget cuts?
One aspect that shouldn’t be changed is the teachers, they know what they’re doing and how to do it right, they are the foundation of the system, changing that would probably weaken the efforts that the teachers have worked so hard for so long to achieve. They also shouldn’t cut back on the course length. They should keep it going throughout the entire year to make a big enough impact on both the students' lives, and the 6th grader's lives.