FREDERICKTOWN — The Fredericktown school board on Tuesday again took action to balance the district’s budget and reduce costs by making more cuts in personnel. The positions of the gifted program coordinator and one librarian were eliminated, bringing the number of staff reductions since fiscal year 2010 to 17. Board president Charles Streby said more reductions are likely if the levy fails.
Parents at the meeting expressed their concern about the effect such personnel cuts will have on the quality of the education the students will receive.
“What do we stand to lose if we don’t pass the levy?” one parent asked. “Our students are going to suffer.”
“We don’t want to make more cuts,” Streby said, “but with the budget the way it is, we are looking at all the options, trying to decide how to provide the same or better education with less money.”
One option Streby mentioned was to look at ways to make athletic programs more self-sufficient.
Superintendent Jim Peterson said the administration is exploring the possibility of keeping library access available to the students by replacing the one librarian with a certified library aide and/or volunteers, and considering contracting with the Knox County Educational Service Center for gifted education suggestions.
