Cuts to elementary school programs have parents questioning administrators' priorities, but principals and other administrators say every avenue was explored and the cuts were prudent.

"We did carefully evaluate all the areas," Sumner Principal Kim Howard said. "It was a lot of planning and a lot of discussion among people on the administrative teams."

Elementary schools see the biggest changes, with specialist positions in art, music, gym and computers being reduced in favor of classroom teachers to off-set both cuts in state funds and packed fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms.

The main reductions are in kindergarten, where time with specialists have been eliminated, and first through third grade, which will see a reduction in time spent with the specialist teachers.

Neveln Principal Jean McDermott said large class sizes were accepted last year in favor of keeping the programming.

"We truly felt that it was not a good thing this year," she said.

The cuts have caused a backlash from parents, who are circulating petitions, writing letters to the newspaper and planning a speech for the next council meeting. They say these programs are too important for young students to lose, and the district should look elsewhere for cuts, in places like extra-curricular activities and administration.

Southgate Principal Daniel Posthumas said some areas, such as building and grounds, are being reduced as part of the adjustments.

"Southgate has taken a hit for that," he said. "We're not doing all the updates we'd like to do."

However, with staff accounting for about 85 percent of the budget, administrators said that layoffs are inevitable.

"It's a fact of life given the financial constraints were under," said Banfield Principal Dale Erickson said.

Parents have said that staff cuts could come from administrative positions instead of the schools. One position that has been mentioned is the curriculum advisor, Sheila Berger.

Principals said that position is too important.

"With this year's new state standards, we're going to be depending on Sheila," Posthumas said.

They said administrative cuts mean the duties get shifted onto principals and others who are not able to handle the extra duties.

"Things have already been added to her position because of cuts that happened last year," McDermott said. "I don't know who we would assign that to."

Administrators say there are rumors circulating that need to be dispelled. For example, no school staff members are supplied with cars or driving reimbursements from their homes to school. Also, while there will be only one media specialist and one librarian for all four elementary schools, there will be media assistants staffing the libraries.

"It's not like we're going to close the library four days a week," Posthumas said.

Times will be tough, administrators said. However, they said students will see the benefits of the programs still intact later in their educational career.

"None of us deny that what we had before was better," McDermott said. "Hopefully we're using our best judgment to say, 'This is the place where it will have the least overall impact.'"

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2214 or by email at matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com