Budget cuts: Final decisions are announced

March 23, 2016

Monday the Board of Education held a meeting at the ABC building concerning final decisions about the budget. Students, teachers and community members from all over the district attended. Six people spoke during the public comment period about the budget cuts, including senior Isaiah Langworthy, science instructor Michael Fryda, Westside Middle School instructors David Shabram, who teaches engineering and technology, and German teacher Ginger Starks-Yoble.

After public comment, Superintendent Blane McCann announced the Spanish program will be completely cut from elementary schools during the next school year.

“Rosetta Stone is not a viable option [for elementary students] who most likely don’t have previous experience [with the language] and aren’t highly motivated,” Starks-Yoble, who has a Ph.D. in language acquisition said.

A program like Rosetta Stone will not be used, like originally proposed. This is due to a lack of research on its efficiency and impact.

The only proposal that won’t be enacted is the removal of one band instructor. Further observations and research in the program will occur throughout the upcoming 2016-2017 school year.

McCann wants to restructure positions at the ABC building and would appreciate any donations for the ambulance service. He also proposed to the Board of Education to freeze his salary and three other administrators’ salary including, assistant superintendents Dr. Enid Schonewise and Dr. Mark Weichel and financial advisor Robert Zagozda. This means that they each wouldn’t have a raise for the upcoming year and will receive the same salary they did this year.

Beth Morrissette, member of the board said there has been “great dialogue [concerning the budget]” and another member, Rosie Zweiback thanked the Human Resources department. Member David Williams also said “We need to get in touch with our senators” which would hopefully help Nebraska get more educational state aid.

“We love the community’s passion and [we] have been listening,” McCann said.