Parents in the Waverly Community School District were talking education Wednesday, as they shared coffee with the Interim Superintendent. They voiced a desire to get Waverly schools past what some are calling a rough patch.

"Opportunities like this increase the options for parents to feel like their concerns are being heard," parent Mimi Patterson said, of the chat

The small group says much is going right for the district, but admits this past year has been a challenge.

Like other districts, Waverly is facing tough budget times and it's done so with multiple superintendents.

"We've been doing through a transition with leadership as everyone knows," Interim Superintendent Dorothy Blackwell explained. "Now together as a team, we're working collaboratively together to solve some of the issues that many school districts are dealing with."

Blackwell says Waverly is waiting to hear from the Governor about state support for schools. The district is concerned its deficit will impact programs.

Patterson is worried too.

"I'm concerned about curriculum, but a lot of that is driven by the budget, finances, she said. "I think Waverly's doing a good job."

Perhaps not suprisingly, the conversation also turned to a fight at Waverly High School captured on YouTube.

"How is that happening and what are we going to do about it?" one parent asked.

Parents expressed concern over the way the district communicated the situation, but also said they feel it was overblown.

"The things that are being emphasized negatively are thing that you'll find in any school in our area, so for some reason I feel Waverly is perhaps being singled out unfairly," Patterson said. "We have a great staff, we have great teachers who care about students."

Patterson wants student's accomplishments and honors highlighted, rather that what she believes are isolated fights.

"Waverly is a family, it is a great place to learn," Blackwell said. "Every child is important and we take their education very seriously."

While they say Waverly schools have had some issues recently, parents at the meeting said they've seen district staff working hard to overcome those problems.

During the hour-long coffee chat, Blackwell talked about some new programs the district has started to address bullying.

One at the middle school level teaches students coping skills to stop arguments before they start. Another is designed to help students mend and heal after a disagreement.

"We're turning a corner and I think we're making great progress," Patterson said.