Woodmore Local Schools restores some cuts

7/10/2002

WOODVILLE - Freshmen athletes in the Woodmore Local School District will begin their summer training after all.

The Board of Education announced at its meeting Monday night that the district ended the school year with a little more than $200,000 in unanticipated cash.

The board decided it would use the money to renew some programs and fill positions that it planned to cut or leave vacant during the school year that begins in September.

The reinstated programs - ninth grade football, volleyball, and basketball - and the positions - class advisers and guidance counselor - will cost the district about $91,000.

Ed Magsig, president of the Woodmore board of education, said the reinstated programs were all ones that affected students directly. Other posts, such as bus driver and food service worker, will remain unfilled.

Mr. Magsig said that the decision for reinstatement followed forceful calls from parents to keep the programs and positions.

“The first meeting after we announced cuts, there were 100 people who said if you reinstate these things, we'll give your levy some consideration,” he said.

The levy in question is for 5.4 mills, which would generate nearly $778,000 a year for the district. It will appear on the August ballot. A similar levy failed in May, which prompted the budget cuts.

Despite the unexpected extra money, which came from cost-cutting on a variety of fronts including substitute teachers and overtime, district Treasurer William Ott said the levy is still necessary to meet next year's goals.

“This has enabled [the school board] to not be as drastic in some of the reductions. However, it doesn't change the outlook down the road,” he said.

The school district hopes to have $450,000 to carry over from this fiscal year, which ends June, 2003, to the following fiscal year, which ends June, 2004.

That would be enough to meet about two payrolls, Mr. Ott said, and would provide a necessary cushion in case of emergency.