As the St. Joseph School District discusses cuts from the budget, here are some of the measures approved by the Board of Education meeting on February 22, 2016:

1) The Board of Education approved freezing all administrative salaries (in addition to the elimination of mileage stipend for administrators). The freeze also includes no movement on steps on the salary schedule for the 2016-17 school year.

2) The Board of Education chose to replace the Director of Human Resources and the Director of Secondary Education, and not add an associate superintendent position at this time. Savings: $24,798

3) The Board of Education eliminated all Instructional Coaches of the St. Joseph School District. Tenured teachers will have positions in the district and a plan to move forward during the transition phase is being discussed. Savings: $692,000

4) The Board of Education engaged J.W. Terrill as the new benefit/broker consultant. Savings: $250,000

5) The Universal Breakfast program was eliminated. Students at high percentage free and reduced lunch schools will still receive breakfast and the district will be reimbursed. Savings: $250,000

6) Moving forward with the closing of the Colgan Alternative Resource Center and authorizing the sale of the building are included in savings measures for the school district. Savings: $350,000

7) Total savings as of 2/22/16: $1.5 million +

As directed by the Board of Education, cost savings measures will continue to be brought before the board for discussion.

Future date:
A work session on the Compensation Study has been set for March 5, 2016 from 8am-11am in the Board of Education room at 925 Felix. The discussion will focus on the potential $4.1-$4.5 million to fund salaries for underpaid staff, as pinpointed in the study. Those positions include teachers, paraprofessionals and support staff.