Marion school district chooses budget reduction plan - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

Marion school district chooses budget reduction plan

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Carly O'Keefe - bio | email
The board chose Plan A by a vote of four to two, with one abstaining. The board chose Plan A by a vote of four to two, with one abstaining.
The decision by the board is expected to save the school district $1.5 million in expenses in the upcoming fiscal year. The decision by the board is expected to save the school district $1.5 million in expenses in the upcoming fiscal year.
The district worked to clean up its fiscal house in recent years, but state budget cuts are putting a kink in that district's plans. The district worked to clean up its fiscal house in recent years, but state budget cuts are putting a kink in that district's plans.
MARION, IL (KFVS) -

The Marion CUSD #2 School Board has decided to go with Budget Reduction Plan A.

The board chose Plan A by a vote of four to two, with one abstaining. The decision by the board will shut down the Marion Extension Center Facility and move the teachers and students out to the Adams School in Creal Springs.

"We're very excited they they've chosen again this year to make Adams School a K-8 facility for one more year," said Patty Brunden of Creal Springs. "We are more then happy to welcome the Marion Extension Center students and faculty to our building. And under the circumstances I feel like this is the best possible plan they could've gone with."

Some of the reductions in Plan A include:

  • Eliminate MHS Guidance Sec. position
  • Eliminate Voc. Ed. – 100 day position
  • Eliminate Summer Tech. students
  • Reduce one certified teacher position
  • Reduce athletic budget
  • Start to phase out two part-time foreign language programs (Latin and French)
  • Increase breakfast and lunch prices by 25 cents
  • Raise athletic fees by $100 per sport in both high school and junior high school

The decision by the board is expected to save the school district $1.5 million in expenses in the upcoming fiscal year.

They held a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday to discuss its options in light of state cuts. Superintendent Dr. Keith Oats says the school will face a nearly $1.7 million deficit for the 2013-2014 school to a projected 20 percent cut in state funding.

The district worked to clean up its fiscal house in recent years, but state budget cuts are putting a kink in that district's plans.

In his annual budget address, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn proposed a $400 million cut to education. Quinn says the cut is a direct result of lawmakers' inaction to approve pension legislation.

"If it wasn't for the teachers at the extension center, I wouldn't of graduated," said Karon Drone from Marion. "I wouldn't have been a CNA. I wouldn't have been where I am now. Being a full-time parent, none of it."

School officials weighed three different plans to solve the budget problems at the special meeting. Plans include cuts such as: closing Adams Junior High School, shutting down the M.H.S. Extension Center, charging fees for student athletic programs, layoffs, and salary freezes.

You can view the complete list of proposed cuts in Plan A on the school's website.

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