The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

March 11, 2010

Mankato Area School Board sets cut paramaters

By Tanner Kent The Free Press

MANKATO — With the arbitration decision with teachers finalized, the Mankato Area School Board tentatively set a 2010-11 budget reduction amount of slightly less than $1 million during a Thursday study session.

Before an arbitrator ruled in favor of the district’s contract proposal to teachers last week, the district had proposed a triple-tiered reduction scenario that reached as high as $3 million.

And while board members will not approve a formal reduction plan until Monday’s meeting, it appears all potential reductions will now come from the first tier only. Essentially, that means no full-time teachers will be cut.

Supt. Sheri Allen advised the board that such first-tier reductions will “still affect our daily work, but we won’t be taking any teachers.”

Board members did agree to remove several reductions from the first tier due to public feedback, including the proposal to eliminate child care on late-start days at elementary and secondary school sites.

Those two reductions would have amounted to $15,000, but due to testimony during the board’s public hearing — as well as several comments officials received through the      suggestion form on the district Web site — that reduction was taken off the list.

“We heard loud and clear about late-start child care and our need to help our families with that,” said Ann Hendricks, board chairwoman.

Also taken off the list of reductions were proposals to eliminate a high school science club ($2,600) and a lead principal stipend ($7,600). Board members also discontinued a proposal to change the way student planners are printed ($18,000).

Still included in the cuts are: swimming pool closures at Mankato East and Mankato West during spring and summer months; admission charges to all athletic events; a $100,000 reduction in textbook purchases; and a reduction of 12.5 paraprofessionals.

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