USD 383 Board of Education

March 31, 2010
Kathy Dzewaltowski, observer

Special meeting:
The board met to examine the proposed budget cuts for Tier 1 (i.e. first items to be eliminated) to determine which items the board was in agreement about and which would require additional information or discussion. The board also discussed possible revenue sources and accepted public comment.

Some of the items that the board was in agreement should remain on Tier 1 included closing MHS and one middle school for June and July, reducing the number of assistant coaches, reducing overtime, reducing contracted services for special education, closing 2 rooms for special education at Stone House Early Childhood Center, reducing computer software upgrades, and changing thermostat settings.

Revenue options that the board indicated an interest in discussing further included items such as increasing lunch and textbook rental fees, raising the Local Option Budget by 1%, discussing with the city the possibility of levying a quarter-cent sales tax, selling ad space on the district's web site, and pursuing corporate sponsorships for school newsletters.

Ten citizens spoke to the board about the proposed budget cuts. The district's autism coordinator position is being considered for elimination, and the majority of the speakers were in favor of retaining the autism coordinator position. Other speakers supported retaining social workers or spoke about the value of elementary band and orchestra.