The Marion Community School District #2 is moving forward with a plan to keep students at Adams Jr. High.
The plan, titled ‘Plan A’ passed by a 4-2 vote at last night’s special meeting.
The plan cuts a little over $1.4 million dollars from the budget, and Board President Wayne Tate says the cuts were tough.
"But I think it was an innovative plan that enables us to save seven teaching positions," Tate says. "Last year and this year both, the whole goal of the budget reduction has been to try and not affect students in the classroom."
"But I think it was an innovative plan that enables us to save seven teaching positions," Tate says. "Last year and this year both, the whole goal of the budget reduction has been to try and not affect students in the classroom."
Board member Joseph Bleyer says the cuts in funding from the state are the cause.
"If we had all the money we needed, we wouldn't be having this contentious discussion tonight," Bleyer says. "People losing jobs, people moving kids, but we're charged with trying to spend the resources that we have."
The overall plan saves $1.4 million dollars, but Bleyler voted for 'Plan B,' which would have moved Adams Jr. High students to Marion Jr. High.
"Which the administration said was viable, which the administration said needed to be done," Bleyer said. "That's why I opposed 'Plan A'; It's duplicating services for 74 kids at the expense of the other 3,900-plus students in the district."
That plan would have also eliminated the Marion High School extension center, and saved approximately $200,000 more than 'Plan A," which will move the extension center to Adams School.
Regardless of the plan, Superintendent Keith Oates says the district should look for a long-term plan in case the state's problems don't improve.
"(The group should) really look at a lot of deeper options," Oates says. "You know, what is our district going to look like 10, 20 years from now? I hope that we can start to move forward with a more long-range plan."
A third budget plan was proposed, but didn't receive any votes.
Full Plan A (approved) proposal: http://bit.ly/16e0Zja
Regardless of the plan, Superintendent Keith Oates says the district should look for a long-term plan in case the state's problems don't improve.
"(The group should) really look at a lot of deeper options," Oates says. "You know, what is our district going to look like 10, 20 years from now? I hope that we can start to move forward with a more long-range plan."
A third budget plan was proposed, but didn't receive any votes.
Full Plan A (approved) proposal: http://bit.ly/16e0Zja
Full Plan B (rejected) proposal: http://bit.ly/15C8Kya
Michael Roberts and Joe Ragusa reporting.
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