As the economy remains unstable and jobs are becoming limited, everyone is beginning to see change. The U. City School District, along with most others, is experiencing a lot of alterations for the up and coming school year. Because of budget cuts, the district is losing not only teachers next year, but also a very important component to the seniors: the college counselor.

Dr. Katherine Bailey has been our college counselor for more than 15 years and is now ending her career with U.City. The lack of money in the district is no longer allowing us to keep her because we simply can’t afford her.

“I can’t believe that Dr. Bailey is leaving,” said senior Markita Hayes. “She has really been a mother figure to me and I don’t think I would’ve been on the right path without her. I know that she had a real presence on me and my decisions as far as college, so this school without her next year will definitely suffer.”

Dr. Bailey not only helped students find colleges and scholarship opportunities but also grew to have close relationships with the students.

“I’ve always heard good things about her from my friends,” said junior Shawn Cody. “I was really looking forward to knowing her. Next year it’s going to be extremely hard for me to find a school and a major to fit me without her.”

Losing a figure like Dr. Bailey isn’t only going to affect the students but also the counselors. The workload she carries, which includes knowing almost every student in the school and constantly working hard for them, is going to be one that is hard to maintain. Between mingling with colleges, sending applications and matching students with their dream schools, she has no room to relax.

“I imagine the workload growing massively for each counselor,” said counselor Peggy DeSutter. “She has a real presence in this office but we won’t really know how it will affect us until next year.”

Naturally, people might think that because U. City is losing a counselor that in a few years we will gain another. However, this does not seem to be in the agenda.

In addition to the loss of Dr. Bailey, we will also soon lose Lauren Bennett, our new science teacher. The school district often goes by the rule, “last one in, first one out the door.”

In addition to Bennett, Chris Perkowski will be going to Leiberman Learning Center (alternative school), Daniel Shavers and Caroline Kraft will expand their roles. Not only will Shavers teach band at the high school, he will also teach in the elementary schools. Kraft will split her time between teaching and acting as a district curriculum coordinator. Dave Gammon will be sent to the middle school full time, and Kurt Tuegal will take over Gammons’ health position.

“As of right now I don’t really know if there will be anymore changes to the school or district,” said vice-principal Dayle Burgdorf. “But in the near future we will know how many, if any more, changes to anticipate.”

While things are condensing at the high school level, the elementary schools and the Lieberman Learning Center will also experience change. Next on U. City’s list, the district plans to close down Nathaniel Hawthorne and Delmar Harvard elementary schools, leaving the district with only four elementary schools instead of six. This adjustment will also affect Brittany Woods Middle School, as they will now also be housing 6th grade students in the building full time.

The end result is lay-offs for teachers, counselors, principals and even faculty advisors. In addition to lay-offs, retirees will also contribute to the condensing of the schools.

Carole E. Niere, principal at the Lieberman Learning Center, is retiring this year, which will ultimately open up a new position for the school. Trying to avoid new hires, the district has attempted to move personnel to new positions. Long-time associate principal Christopher Blumenhorst was appointed to the job.

“I was informed by Mr. Wernentin on February 8th about my new job assignment, said Mr. Blumenhorst. “There was really nothing I could do about it.”

Blumenhorst has the best credentials for the job because he’s been an assistant, associate and interim principal for several years. He is known for his great people skills and how he manages to understand each kid in their own way.

“Losing Mr. B. will be a huge blow to the high school,” said senior Rachel Sobotka. “I’m glad I won’t be here while he’s not. However, I do believe that he will do great things at the alternative school.”

These shifts in the district have caused dramatic changes that will affect almost everyone. Only time will tell if theses acts will positively or negatively impact the school.