Tuesday, May 01, 2001

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School board members and district administrators listen Monday as Julie Jensen, district director of human resources, reads the resolutions terminating 17 district employees. From left: Superintendent Jim Hess, board member Larry Andersen, Jensen, board member Kathy Green and board member Bev Nordby. By Kevira Mertha /Austin Daily Herald

School Board cuts 17 jobs

District still faces $89,000 budget deficit

By Kevira Mertha

Austin Daily Herald

The mood in the Austin Public School district administration building on Monday afternoon was somber. In a meeting that lasted close to 15 minutes, 17 district positions were eliminated.

"It’s unfortunate we are in a business in which we have to do this," school board chairman Dave Simonson said. An $880,000 budget shortfall, due to a lack of state funding, high utility and transportation bills and decreased enrollment, is the impetus for these cuts.

"We have to be cognizant we have still not reached our goal of $800,000," Simonson said. He added the district must keep the worst-case scenario in mind while making the cuts.

Even after Monday’s cuts, the district still is facing an $89,000 deficit. Last week, the board’s finance committee discussed "a half-dozen ways" to raise revenue or decrease expenditures, according to Hess. "Some involve personnel or cutting back on travel. We’re looking at where to find savings within the budget," Hess said.

The finance committee will have another meeting or two in the near future, so the final budgetary adjustments can be approved at the May 14 board meeting.

Austin High School Principal Joe Brown said the changes made at his school will affect the class sizes and not the course choices available to students.

Superintendent Jim Hess said the art programs at Banfield and Neveln will not be affected by the decreased number of teaching hours.

"Students will receive the same amount of art time," Hess said.

Hess is working through a reorganization of Roehrich’s position. This reorganization will involve finding the most efficient and effective way to disperse the job responsibilities associated with the position among the present administration staff.