05/17/2007
Schools face $1.84 M in budget cuts
By: Glenn Shafer , Staff Writer
Facing a $1.84 million school budget reduction forced upon them by the Town
Council, the town's school administration this week presented ideas for
potential areas of savings to members of the Board of Education.
Looking to finalize this year's overall town budget, the
Board of Education will hold a public hearing May 29 to get input from
residents. The Board of Education will then vote on specific school reductions
at its June 5 meeting.
Board of Education members are considering reductions in seven broad categories
ranked by how much potential impact the cuts will have on classroom students.
"We are trying to preserve the programs that make the school system
attractive," said Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Sklarz.
Some of the least influential cuts being considered include keeping substitute
pay for teachers at $75 per day instead of raising it to $85; reducing
attendance at conferences for school administrators; and reducing the number of
middle school and high school athletic intramural teams.
The list of reductions became considerably more severe, though, as the Board of
Education weighed the impact of eliminating the hiring of new teachers and
assistant principals; eliminating the offering of foreign languages; and
reducing technology funding.
The most severe cuts discussed included reducing the number of existing
teachers; reducing funding for student activities; reducing interscholastic
sports; replacing full day kindergarten with half-day kindergarten; and eliminating
the QUEST program, a curriculum for gifted and talented students.
Two residents, Alfredo Nino and Ted Doolittle, addressed the Board of Education
members about their concerns with eliminating the QUEST program. Nino said his
son participates in QUEST.
"I can't imagine the schools without QUEST," he said.
Board of Education Chairman Jack Darcey encouraged
residents to e-mail any questions to the Board of Education at board
members@whps.org before the May 29 hearing.