Tonight at the Christina Board of Education meeting, the board voted in favor of NOT eliminating the following in their schools and the district based on recommendations from their Chief Financial Officer, Bob Silber and Superintendent Richard Gregg. This was under the direction of “Minimize the number of students impacted by cuts.”
Elementary & Secondary Strings
Elementary Instrumental Music
A motion to reduce elementary specialists (such as music, library, etc.)
A motion to decrease technology investment
Academic Deans
Montessori Program
Reduce Department Budgets
Reduce School Budgets (based on need)
Change Credit Recovery Delivery Model-Integrate SPA with High Schools
The following DID pass the board:
Reduce EPER (Extra Pay for Extra Responsibilities)
Do not fill Vacant Non-Academic positions
Decrease in Professional Development
While these are good for the positions and programs not eliminated, those holes in the budget will have to be filled somewhere with other cuts, which could mean up to 100 teachers being cut from the district as well as higher classroom sizes. This isn’t a good situation no matter how you slice it. I don’t envy any school board faced with these decisions largely set in motion by Governor Carney’s proposed budget for FY2018. He is recommending districts be able to raise match taxes without a referendum. Many districts are balking at this scenario presented by Carney. However, they have to give notice to teachers about returning this month, well before the Delaware General Assembly gives their final vote on the budget which will occur on either June 30th, or more likely, the wee hours of the morning on July 1st.
The Season Of Myths 