As the school system closes out its first full week of the budget impasse, the board of education approved measures designed to remove $1 million of expenses from the district’s books. However even with the additional $2.2 million allocated by the County Commission for textbooks and other potential funds, the board’s latest approved budget is still $2.7 million short of a balanced budget.

On the chopping block were eight additional high school counselors, adult education, and cuts to the Central Office. Although board members touted the need for counselors they agreed it was better to save $480,000 from not filling new positions rather than making painful cuts to existing staff. In another hard choice the board hopes to move $400,000 off of its books by letting the county fund adult education from its economic development fund. $205,000 of savings will come from as yet undetermined cuts to Central office payroll and development. 

However, the board held fast to its proposed 3 percent raise for certified employees and 2.5 percent raise for classified employees. A motion to decrease each raise by one-half percent failed resoundingly in a 9-2 vote.

A vote to kill school bus GPS systems failed by a much closer 6-5 vote. Boosters said the $1 million cost would be offset within a year or so by fuel savings from more efficient bus routing. 

The budget with these modifications must now face the County Commission, which the board has requested hold a special called meeting on Monday, Aug, 13.

By Corey Conley

Photos by Don Claussen / TRAP THE LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY