Meeting 5-12

Thanks to all of you who came out last night to the board meeting. It was a packed house. One of the fun aspects of my job is getting to recognize the great kids in our district who earn recognition. Last night we recognized several students for their efforts. It was wonderful to see the good things they are doing.

We also completed our first round of budget cuts.

Here is the breakdown of what we cut:

HS Asst Principal $105,000
Teachers $800,000
Reduction in expenditures $100,000
Privatize Administrators $ 65,000
Tech Services Coord $ 80,000
Privatize Coaches $ 5,000
Reduction in Unemployment $125,000
Food Price Increase $ 95,000
Community Ed $200,000
Maintaince Position $ 51,000
Energy Savings $ 75,000
Supplies for Indiv Printers $15,000
Textbooks $100,000
Privatize Security $ 5,000
Privatize Pool Employees $100,000
Cut HS Secretary Position $50,000
Cut In-room suspension aid $30,000
Cut Business Assistant $50,000
Cut 2-hour clerks $30,000
Cut HS Career Resource $40,000

Total $2,103,600

The teachers we are cutting are teachers that were put into place to accommodate flex-scheduling. Some of those classes had only eight students in them. That doesn't work. Due to the fact that we are returning to a more traditional schedule, and we have lost over 200-students with another 150-student loss anticipated, we simply have more teachers than we need.

As for textbooks, that budget more than doubled in one year. We heard last night that the reason behind that jump was new standards and benchmarks from the State. The budget is still double what it was 2-years ago and the board is asking some tough questions as to why.

The board meeting was heated last night. It isn't pleasant, but necessary to discuss things openly and ask questions. For too long the previous school board did not ask enough questions. Now we are faced with trying to turn over every rock in search of money and answers.

We said as a board that we wanted to be Welcoming, Engaging, and Child-centered. Our decisions should reflect that.

Please, please, please get involved in the Superintendent search. We need your input!