In the wake of the referendum defeat Tuesday, the school board has already scheduled two meetings next week to begin the process of identifying budget cuts for the 2001-2002 school year.

Wednesday, November 07, 2001

In the wake of the referendum defeat Tuesday, the school board has already scheduled two meetings next week to begin the process of identifying budget cuts for the 2001-2002 school year.

&uot;Our course is set. We’re going to be outlining some deep cuts in the next few months,&uot; said Dr. David Prescott, superintendent of Albert Lea Area Schools.

The top priority will be identifying a dollar amount to be eliminated, said Finance Director Mark Stotts. Then the district will have to work to reach an agreement with the local teachers’ bargaining group.

&uot;I’m going to need some time to put the projections together, but it (the amount to be cut) is going to be a sizable amount,&uot; he said.

After a budget-cut figure is reached, the board will discuss the level of staff and community involvement in the process. Members will brainstorm ideas to trim from the current budget such as limiting travel and supplies, Prescott said.

&uot;We’ll be as creative as possible, like we have been in previous years. There’s not much left to trim so the cuts are going to be pretty deep,&uot; Prescott said.

The district has already identified some of the areas likely targeted to save money. Cuts could affect elementary programs in art, music, physical education and media as well as high-school electives. But extra-curricular activities in athletics and the arts may see the deepest cuts.

&uot;The big losers tonight are the kids. At all levels, our students will have less options when this round of cuts is completed,&uot; Prescott said.

Prescott said he would welcome community input in the process, especially at school board meetings.

&uot;I would invite anyone in our district with some good cost-saving ideas to come and share them with the board,&uot; he said.