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Posted: 6:21 PM Nov 24, 2009
Schools Crunch Numbers, Eye Cuts
Schools are on the chopping blocks as districts figure out how they'll deal with the latest round of state budget cuts.
Reporter: Melissa Brunner Email Address: melissa.brunner@wibw.com Schools Eye Budget Cuts |
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(WIBW) - School districts are crunching the numbers and getting an idea on how the latest round of budget cuts will impact them.
Gov. Mark Parkinson announced nearly $260 million in budget cuts Monday. Those included a $36 million cut in K-12 education funding and another $155 million for increased enrollments that it would not fund.
Already, some Kansas districts are saying the cuts mean they may have to close schools.
In USD 251, North Lyon County, superintendent Mike Nulton is recommending the closure of Admire Elementary School. The district's board of education agreed Monday to begin the processs.
Under the plan, Reading would become a K-5 school, while Americus would be K-8. A public forum will be held at 7 pm Dec. 2 at Americus Grade School.
In the Jefferson West school district, superintendent Scott Myers says closing the fourth and fifth grade school in Ozawkie will be on the board's Dec. 14 agenda. He says the district lost $288,000 in Monday's cuts.
If the board approves the resolution, a public hearing would be scheduled.
In the Kaw Valley District, the latest round of cuts dims hopes that Emmett Grade School can be saved from the chopping block.
Head Teacher David Steele says the district has taken many cost cutting measures previously. He says Emmett alone has cut one teacher, limited counseling services, limits music and P.E. to three days a week and cut on teacher supplies. In addition, the Delia Charter School was closed over the summer.
The USD 321 board voted to begin the process of closing Emmett even before the latest round of cuts. Superintendent Jim McDaniel says Monday's cuts will cost the district nearly $340,000. He says total state funding cuts for the year near a million.
The community vowed to fight to save the school, however, with this week's news, Steele says it will be tough to do.
A public hearing on the potential Emmett closing will be held at 7 pm Dec. 6 at the Emmett school.
Rural districts aren't alone. Auburn-Washburn USD 437 superintendent Dr. Brenda Dietrich says the district will lose $1.1 million from Monday's cuts. That's on top of $1.2 million cut earlier this year.
In response to reduced funding, USD 437 already eliminated 16 paraprofessionals, four custodians and teachers aides, reduced supply and athletic budgets, and class sizes are up.
Dietrich says a budget subcommittee will meet next week to decide what's next.
A budget stakeholders committee for Topeka's USD 501 also will meet next week to review potential budget cuts. A list of possible recommendations they compiled earlier this year included cutting staff and closing at least one elementary school.
Latest Comments
I am sick and tired of hearing the whining. The administrators DELIBERATELY make cuts that will cause the most pain. How about cutting some of the wasteful sports programs. Opps, I forgot that is more imporant than education.
will this mean it going to hit nother part of kansas and so how many schools closed so far
Will wibw be there to cover the story, cause what you are reporting is info that was not presented at the meeting. Do you know something that we should have been told because there was no mention of reading being K-5 and americus being 6-8. The only subject covered at the meeting that you are reporting is the closing of Admire Grade School. It was kind of funny and got a big laugh when Dr. Barnett stated the he was interested in what the people had to say but left with Peggy Mast as soon as they were done with their speech. They left before anyone could say anything. How interested is that?


Schools Eye Budget Cuts