Proposed cuts include such activities as science fairs at all four elementary schools, jazz improvisation classes at the middle school, and three clubs at the high school, in addition to a 10 percent reduction in funding for athletic programs across the district.
But among the proposed cuts, some of the more painful include credit recovery in grades 9-11, academies and homework cafe, which are geared toward helping underperforming students.
This newest version of the budget restores funding to allow students outside the three-mile walking boundary to retain busing and full-day Kindergarten programs are kept intact.
But, eliminated are the teams at Jennie F. Snapp in each grade. In doing this, the district would be able to cut 4.7 teachers at a cost savings of $304,691. In all, 27.25 teachers are being cut across the district, in addition to three administrators, and 16.25 non-instructional staff. The 46.5 cuts to staff are a far cry away from the 84 that were proposed in earlier budget drafts.
“If the next two proposed budgets are not passed, then we will have to go to the contingency plans, meaning that we will have to cut another $1 million next [school] year. More cuts in programs and employees,” McLeod said.
A contingency budget would only come into play if the citizens of the district do not approve the proposed budget. In this case, the district would use the current year’s budget, which presents a shortfall close to $1 million.
McLeod also explained that the state tax levy limit may be 2 percent, but through an eight-step program the district can ask for the 2.7 percent increase needed.
McLeod also stated that the board did not cut whole programs for students, however, teachers in programs such as business, technology and art have seen major cuts.
Some funding to programs for special needs students were among the things that were also cut. However, this doesn’t just affect the program. The students are affected because of larger class sizes.
Victoria Delsanto, a mother of a student with a disability made this clear.
According to Delsanto, larger class environments will not help students with disabilities, who need to be focused on their responsibilities and not other students.
This statement re-enforced a previous concern voiced by high school junior Kelsey Smith.
“Enlarging class sizes will affect the students’ learning and possibly lower our state and national rank,” she said.
As Kindergarten teacher Lynn Gilyard said, it takes a village to raise a community, not just a child.