Delavan-Darien School District makes staff cuts to balance budget
By Catherine W. Idzerda, The Janesville Gazette, Wis. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Of those, six are retirements or resignations, and those positions will not be refilled. The loss of the remaining 11.5 positions will mean the non-renewal of teacher contracts.
At Monday's
The staff cuts will save the district more than
The decision was made nearly two weeks after a referendum to exceed the revenue cap by
Along with the cuts, the board discussed going to referendum again, perhaps in August. That decision was put off until the May meeting.
The meeting, which was attended by about 160 people, was marked by passionate speeches by board members and local residents.
Five residents spoke before the meeting.
"I have to ask the board, 'What part of no don't you understand," Kirkpatrick said.
Kirkpatrick noted that the referendum was soundly defeated.
"60 percent isn't squeaker," Kirkpatrick said. "It's not advisable, it's not prudent, to take it back to the people."
Parent
"Often times we spend a lot of money on things and it's not an investment in anything," Solis said. "This is an investment in our kids, and it's extremely important."
Board member
"People talk about cutting the fluff--I'd like to see what that fluff is," Kort said. "Even if we cut all of our extra curricular, that wouldn't even come close. Salaries make up 85 percent of our costs."
Board member
Peyer said he didn't want the job on the school board, but "about 50" teachers approached him and wanted him to run.
The job has turned out to be more complicated than he expected.
"Business tactics don't work in schools," Peyer said.
He noted that his taxes were about
A good school system was crucial to bringing people into the community and keeping them here.
"Without strong schools, we don't have a strong community," Peyer said.
Other cuts and changes made to balance the budget include:
--Borrowing
--The rest of the cuts will come from distance learning,
--
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