(Spirit Lake)– The three principals at the Spirit Lake public schools have outlined the cuts they would recommend if the district’s Instructional Support Levy isn’t renewed next year. About 520-thousand dollars a year comes to the district from income sur-tax and property-tax components. The district will have to renew the levy next year if it is to continue.
Elementary Principal John Wiebers says 95-thousand dollars in cuts at his building would reduce the amount of staff; Spirit Lake Middle School Principal Larry Bandy told the board a variety of class offerings at his building would be discontinued along with assistant coaches, summer band lessons, and the cross country program. And Spirit Lake High School Principal Sheryl Hall says adult helpers for extra-curricular activities would be the first thing to go at the high school if the levy is discontinued. Other items on the hit-list at the high school include business classes, weightlifting coach, summer band lessons, the academic decathlon, and French and Russian ICN classes.
District-wide, less money would be spent on text books, computers and staff training. In-town bussing would also be eliminated.
The Spirit Lake School Board will discuss the Instructional Support Levy some more at its December meeting. School board member Mike Donahue says the list of cuts might not be viewed as serious enough by the public and another set of options should be drawn up.
Board President Craig Newell wonders if the current make-up of the levy should be changed so more of the proceeds come from income tax and less comes from property tax.
