Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board could vote next month on proposed cuts to the budget necessary to slash more than $1 million from the general fund. Corporation business manager and treasurer Guy Richie says they’re trying to eliminate positions instead of jobs. “If somebody retires, we are eliminating the position if at all possible,” Richie told the school board. “That way no one has lost an income. They retired and we didn’t bring anybody back in. That was our first concern that we did not go into our employees pockets out of this. I think we’ve done a good job when you look that we’re going to cut a million dollars next year and have not yet told a single employee they do not have a job here.” Superintendent Lynn Johnson admits that approach will take some creative scheduling of staff. She says some teachers will move to other grade levels, while others may switch subjects. However, a lot of that depends on their licenses. Additionally, high school schedules for next year are still being finalized. Johnson says school officials will have a better idea once that’s done of the needs in the upcoming year. Should any layoffs be necessary the corporation has until May 1 to issue reduction in force notices to affected teachers.
