BonnerSprings.com

Bonner Springs Elementary recess and teacher’s aide Kristy Shields wasn’t happy on the last day of school, Dec. 18.

But her unhappiness didn’t stem from having to say goodbye to students and teachers for the duration of Christmas break. It came from having to say goodbye for good to the district she had worked in for more than 17 years.

Shields was one of nine USD 204 noncertified staff members laid off in an effort to offset the last round of budget cuts the district suffered just prior to the end of the school term before the Christmas holiday. It was the timing of the announcement that upset Shields the most.

“It’s like, ‘Merry Christmas,’ and kicked out the door,” Shields said. “I was mad. I mean, it’s like, right before Christmas. It’s a bad time of year to do that.”

Though letters were given out to each person who was laid off, Shields said she had been notified prior to receiving her letter by BSE principal Kim Mitchell.

“She wanted to tell me before,” Shields said. “It was nice of her to do that.”

Michelle Howerton, custodian with Clark Middle School, said she found out she was out of a job when she arrived at the school on the 18th to pick up that day’s paycheck. Howerton had heard that the district would soon be using a contracted cleaning service at CMS, the same as it does for the cleaning of Edwardsville Elementary and Delaware Ridge Elementary. The service is much less expensive than having a custodial staff.

Howerton, who had worked with the district for almost seven years, said she thought she would be able to keep her job, however. She, like Shields, was also very upset about the timing of the announcement.

“It’s just that it’s not very nice of them to do it right at Christmas time, because they didn’t let us know,” Howerton said. “They left us sitting not knowing that they were going to do it that week. I thought, well, why couldn’t they let us keep our jobs at least another year or so? Needless to say, I was not happy.”

Howerton wasn’t the only custodial person laid off at CMS. The district laid off the entire six-member team, which included Mike Robinson, lead custodian. Robinson said he was sad to lose his job, but was even more upset about not being able to see the students every day. Having worked in youth ministry for 18 years, building relationships with young people was something he had always enjoyed. At CMS, he made it his calling.

“I was only (with CMS) for two years, but I built a relationship with those kids, kind of thought of them as my family … It was more than just a job to me … I believe the Lord had put me there at that time for a reason, and I believe it was for me to reach out to these kids. It allowed me to build a lot of one-on-one relationships with these kids.”

Now the former USD 204 staff members are left picking up the pieces. Shields said she had taken early retirement, where a small amount will be drawn out of her KPERS every month. She is also spending her time babysitting her 5-month-old granddaughter.

Howerton said she was looking for work. On Tuesday, she brought in her first job application to the Bonner Springs YMCA.

“I came here last week, last Friday, then I brought (the application) back today, hoping to get a job,” Howerton said while sitting in the lounge of the YMCA, where she also regularly exercises. “But I don’t know what childcare pays or custodial or whatever they want me to do. I’ll do anything at this point. All I want is a job.”

Next week, Howerton said, she will pick up her first unemployment check.

Robinson said he has already been interviewing at other locations and is considering going back into pastoral work.

“Oh, I think you have some uncertainty,” Robinson said of the future. “But I know that the Lord’s going to provide and take care, and I know that he’s got the right situation out there for me somewhere. I know his timing is different than our timing.”

Robinson said he understood the reason for the lay offs, and doesn’t hold any animosity toward the district for doing what it had to do. He says being angry accomplishes “nothing, but just hurting yourself.”

Known fondly throughout the school as “Mr. Mike,” Robinson said he had some final thoughts he would like to leave with the students.

“Life doesn’t always throw up the perfect strike or the perfect pitch, but we make the most of it,” Robinson said. “Make good grades in school, and make your parents proud, and make the right choices in life.”

Robinson’s more positive spin on the situation hasn’t quite rubbed off on Howerton and Shields, but they say they are getting there.

“Some days it feels nice. I had a cold job,” Shields said with a laugh, remembering her days outside with the students in less than optimal temperatures. “I don’t know how to describe it, it’s just different. I was meant to do something else with my life, so I guess when you close a door, God opens another door for you, or a window or something.”

Comments

1. 

   sherryag (anonymous) says…

   I believe the school district did us custodians wrong with the way they did us , yet they moved a custodian to one school for 4 hrs then she goes to another school for 4 hrs and I heard they were going to give her a 3% raise , how fair is that ?? Somebody please tell me !!! They could of moved one of us there or moved us to other schools , this is just so unfair !!! Somebody needs to explain to me about this budget cut thing cause I sure dont understand it if they do that for that 1 custodian and then decide they save money on bring in a cleaning crew ....... Help with me understanding this .....

   January 7, 2010 at 7:01 p.m.

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