(Spirit Lake)– The budget cutting axe is about to swing again at the Spirit Lake schools…and this time faculty will feel the blow.
A combination of decreased funding from the state, a drop in enrollment up until this year and increased expenses means the Spirit Lake school system has to cut some 200-thousand to 350-thousand dollars from its budget in the upcoming fiscal year to make ends meet.
Superintendent Tim Grieves says in the past the district was able to make reductions without affecting staff. Now, he says, those types of cuts are exhausted, and for the first time the district is being forced to cut staff.
Even with the cuts, Grieves says the district will be forced to increase its tax asking in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. He says it will surpass $11.00 per thousand dollars valuation for the first time in 10 years. He says that will generate about 225-thousand dollars.
Grieves says administrators have recommended not to replace a fifth grade math teacher or part of an eighth grade math position; elimination of the K-8 Spanish program; some teaching associates that are resigning wouldn’t be replaced; extended contracts for teachers will be reviewed; exploratory and elective courses at the high school may be reduced; reductions may be made to coaching staffs; k-12 enrichment programs; reductions in teacher associates, and in special ed.
Grieves says the school board will formally act on the recommended cuts at their next meeting April 11th. In the meantime, he says they’re gathering public input on the proposed reductions.
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