The St. Joseph School District Board of Education is considering what to do as the district faces a budget deficit.
The Board of Education discussed options at a work session Thursday night regarding where costs could be cut as the School District faces an approximately $7.5 to $8.5 million budget deficit.
Among items discussed included the closure of Humboldt Elementary School and Lake Contrary Elementary School, administrative re-organization, health benefit plans, extra-curricular activities and salaries. The school closures are estimated to save the district approximately $4 million.
Superintendent Dr. Robert Newhart said many of the items will need a decision or an idea of a direction to take by a Dec. 11 special Board of Education meeting. View the entire Board of Education work session by clicking here.
The board is also wanting to gather feedback from staff, students, parents and the community as the search process continues for the District’s next superintendent of schools.
Several options are available for providing feedback during the next few weeks including focus groups, town hall meetings and an online survey.
The search firm that is working with the Board will use the survey and focus group data to help clarify staff and community perceptions about the school district’s strengths and challenges as well as help the Board understand what to look for in the next SJSD superintendent.
The town hall meeting schedule includes three opportunities to provide feedback:
- December 6, 2017: 6:00 p.m. at Oak Grove Elementary School
- December 12, 2017: 6:00 p.m. at Robidoux Middle School
- December 13, 2017: 6:00 p.m. at Spring Garden Middle School
For those unable to attend a town hall session, the survey is available online. Responses will be accepted through December 16, 2017.
The Board plans to name a new superintendent in February and the new superintendent will assume duties on July 1, 2018. The full search process calendar is available on the SJSD website.