In the face of unfunded state and federal mandates, the School Board voted Thursday to trim the district budget by cutting staff positions.
School Superintendent Chris Borgen said the cuts are a response to a slower economy, less revenue, and fewer students. The school district expects to lose 45 to 60 students next year.
But, Dale Bowen, the district’s Director of Operations, said the Board must cut $600,000 from the budget. He called the staff cuts a “small piece” of the pie.
Borgen said athletic teams with low player counts will be the first to be cut. “This year, the high school baseball team only had enough players for a varsity team,” he said.
The School Board also approved a plan to restructure high school classes in a move from four periods per day to seven periods. Half the teachers will teach for five periods and have two periods for planning each day. The other half will teach for six periods with one period for planning. Then switch schedules each semester.