More school cuts made

Of the 20 cuts, 16 are part-time para-educators, 3 food service employees and one bus driver. Most of the para-educators work just 2-3 hours a day. These cuts are in addition to teaching and administrator positions either eliminated or reduced as part of an overall $3 million budget cut.

Staffing won’t settle down until the School Board meets in August to approve a final budget for the coming school year.

The Board also heard from the President of the Whitney School PTA, who brought a petition requesting that the Whitney principal not be cut to half-time employment. The School Board had earlier cut principal Kevin Schwartz to half-time for next year.

Whitney PTA President Sarah Schlundt told the School Board that Whitney needs a full-time administrator and that he needs to be on school grounds every school day. Without it “there is a loss of consistency,” she said. She added that she’s been made aware recently that “positive changes could come to the situation.”

School Superintendent Chris Borgen responded that the district is still exploring options and that “changes could improve the situation.” But, he told Schlundt “You’re not going to hear much until budget time in August.”

After the meeting Borgen told a reporter that he’s looking for other duties for Schwartz that could, at least, keep him on campus every day.