FFA students and alumni advocate for two-person Ag dept.

Members of the FFA alumni and current Willow Springs FFA chapter addressed the school board last Monday night. Their request was to retain a two-person agriculture department. The board approved that night the resignation of Shiloh Walden, agriculture teacher, but prior to that vote, stakeholders and students made impassioned pleas to hire another teacher, or table any vote that would prevent a two-person department. 

 

Walden and remaining ag teacher Grant Talburt were recognized in January as Educators of the Year by the Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce. 

 

Representing the FFA Alumni, Tony Buster spoke first, telling the board that two advisors are required to maintain the kind of “superior chapter” that exists in Willow Springs and produces graduates with “qualities that employees struggle to find,” and “young people who are eager to participate in society.”

 

Buster said the program is at risk if it must continue with only one advisor. 

 

Jenny Poor spoke next, reading a letter from Talburt. The district needs two ag instructors, the letter said. Willow’s program has become, “a role model chapter across the nation,” that has brought in over $500,000 in grant funding, Poor read.

 

There are between 95-110 students in the program and DESE recommends two advisors when programs serve 100 kids, the letter read. 

 

FFA member Katy Spence addressed the board next, pointing out that FFA is a year-round activity, and that, “Every sport has at least two coaches.”

 

FFA is the largest club in school, Spence said and it, “provides opportunities that are not available elsewhere.”

 

The board did not reply or make any vote or motion in response. 

 

Personnel discussions, including merit of individual employees, may be shielded by closed session.  However, in follow-up emails, Superintendent Dr. Marty Spence confirmed that the district is not planning to fill the second agriculture teacher position Walden is vacating. Classroom instruction will proceed with one teacher, but the administration plans to choose an assistant FFA advisor to assist Talburt, Dr. Spence said.