EducationHealth & LivingNewsPolitics & Government

Dozens Speak Out on Charles City School Staff Reductions, Board Tables Action

About four dozen people spoke during the public comment session of Monday night’s Charles City School Board meeting, asking Board members to reconsider possible staff reductions and/or reassignments to cut over $750,000 from the school budget.

The district is looking at trimming costs in the wake of losing over $600,000 in state funding due to declining enrollment. As a person who has served on a school board himself, Reverend Tom Barnard, Pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church, said he knows the tough decisions Board members have to make.

Most public comments centered around possible reductions in the music department, the at-risk program and Project RISE. Josh Dean, who’s worked with alternative education students in Charles City for 20 years, compared the proceedings to a funeral, where people gather to talk fondly about the person who passed. He also expressed concerns about implications for the future.

Superintendent Dr. Anne Lundquist said making budget cuts is not easy, no matter where those cuts occur.

Cuts to the music department have received most of the criticism, Lundquist assured that the district is not eliminating the music program.

Over three hours after the meeting started, no decisions on staff reductions were made Monday night by the School Board. Any action was tabled until the January 23rd Board meeting to allow more time to weigh other options.

Mark Pitz

News Director/Weekdays 10am to 2pm on 95.9 KCHA
ADVERTISEMENT
Back to top button