Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Marion School Board Approves New Budget
MARION -- After months of public meetings and board discussion, leaders in the Marion School district approved new budget Tuesday night.
The new budget reduction plan will keep the Creal Springs School K -8, but includes a number of cuts. Marion is facing a deficit of more than $3 million this year alone. The board considered two plans Tuesday; the proposal members passed includes just over $2 million in savings. Several teachers will be elminiated: six at Marion Junior High, a language arts position and an art position at the high school, and two retiring high school teachers won't be replaced. Two assistant principal jobs that are open will also not be filled, and sports at Creal Springs Junior High School will be eliminated. In addition to cuts, breakfast and lunch prices and sports admission fees are among the costs that will be increased to generate additional revenue. Two board members voted against the plan, saying it placed too much of the budget burden on the junior high. "Whatever happens here tonight is going to have a horrible end result for the district. The children are the ones that are paying," said board member Jay Schafer. Schafer and Joseph Bleyer were the two board members who voted 'no' Tuesday night. Members who supported the budget reduction proposal that was approved pointed out that this version saved four junior high teacher jobs that the other option eliminated. Board President Wayne Tate says under the newly approved budget, if the district receives the same amount of property tax money and state aid as it did this year, Marion could actually end up with a small budget surplus next year. If that happens, Tate says the board may be able to start reinstating some of the cuts it had to make this fiscal year. The new budget will take effect July 1. |
Marion Regional
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