School District says “Auf Wiedersehen” to German Classes

Learning and speaking the language of his forefathers, Max Fritton ‘16, is able to experience his ancestor’s German culture firsthand at City High. Studying the language since junior high, its been one of the highlights of his education. Unfortunately for other German Americans, they might not be able to get that chance in upcoming years.

This past April, the school board announced that the budget for next year would experience a shortfall, and that several programs would have to be cut, including the German language class. One of the three languages offered at City High, German has remained in the curriculum since City High’s founding. The decision was voted on by the secondary administration, citing an enrollment problem with German classes.

“The size didn’t compare well with the other language classes,” Ann Feldman, the vice superintendent who participated in voting, said on the decision. “It didn’t fit the goalpost.” The goal post is a term to describe the enrollment goal for the classes, a range of 24-32 students per class, which German has failed to do in both the junior highs and high schools. “Nobody wanted to cut theses classes, Feldman said. “But decisions have to be made.”

German students in response to the announcements have organized City High’s Save Iowa City German attending school board meetings meetings and speaking directly with legislatures. Max Fritton, ‘16, a German student and active member of the Save Iowa City German explained his opinions on the cut. “The kids who take German, want to take German,” Fritton said. “ This isn’t just a college requirement to us.”

Meeting every Thursday since the announcement, the group is dedicated to keeping German alive at City High and other schools in ICCSD district, creating a t-shirt design and facebook page for local support from the community.

German, if cut, would be phased out of the schools, meaning that it would slowly be taken out the curriculum starting with the German 1 classes. Students taking German now in the high schools will be able to finish their German education, however each year the next level of German would be cut, meaning that the German program will be eliminated by 2017. Seventh graders taking German will be contacted and have the chance to switch to the other foreign languages, French and Spanish, to catch up for next year.

The cut will save $200,000, allowing an increase in growth to help compensate for the $3.6 million debt. Tuyet Dorau commented that the board has not voted on any final action on the cuts. “The cuts are still enacted by the administration,” Dorau said. “At any time the board can re-evaluate those cuts.” As it stands, German will be cut for next with adjustments being made to all schools in the ICCSD district. “People will be disappointed,” Dorau said. “We’re need to change our spending habits, and there will be cuts.”