District Board met to discuss budget plans

“We hope to limit the number of employee cuts and effects to our program,” Board President Mark Lafata said. “We’d like to keep the program at the current level, but also minimize job loss.”

In addition to minimizing staff reductions and maintaining education, the Board also hopes to relieve dedicated taxpayers. Listed below is a breakdown of each proposal the Board will be reviewing and voting on this coming Thursday at their meeting. . Each entails many advantages and disadvantages for those who will be affected. There is some hope, however, that these cuts might not cause as much disappointment as expected. There are currently many staff members eligible for retirement, which would decrease the number of cuts made because their positions would just be left vacant.

At the meeting, superintendent Renee Schuster pitched the proposals to the Board through a power point slide show that can be downloaded from this page. The presentation gives a closer, more in-depth look at the Board’s goals as well as their possible plans of action. For more information, you can also visit the online edition of the Suburban Journal to gain better perspective and knowledge of the decisions as well as the impacts they will have.

Proposal 1: – Taxpayers pay the same amount as 2008

- 1.11% staff cuts (31 people)

Proposal 2: – Taxpayers pay an average $47.50 less than 2008

- 2.54% staff cuts (62 people)

Proposal 3: – Taxpayers pay an average $95 less than 2008