Tonight’s school board meeting will bring bad news to some and may bring good news to others.

Monday, March 18, 2002

Tonight’s school board meeting will bring bad news to some and may bring good news to others.

The bad news affects teachers, as the board is scheduled to vote on the personnel reductions that are part of the budget cuts approved last December.

The staff cuts affect a total of 14 teaching positions, including both probationary and tenured teachers, as well as support staff. The staff cuts will result in the end of the district’s French language program at the high school and cutbacks to the music program at Southwest Middle School, as well as reductions in other programs across the district.

The good news may come for supporters of the Dance Team, as a funding proposal comes before the board again. The proposal was tabled in February, until the board had a chance to approve a gift and donation policy. That policy receives its second reading at the meeting.

In other financial news, the board will be approving the capital budget for the 2003-04 school year and setting the calendar.

At Monday night’s meeting, the school board will also be asked to:

– approve the 2003-04 school activities calendar.

– discuss the district’s drivers’ education program.

– review a non-resident agreement for three students from the Alden-Conger school district.

The possibility of a second levy referendum is not on the agenda, although board members may discuss the issue.