36 positions cut

Members of the Conneaut School Board reviewed the latest proposed budget set to begin July 1, when they met in work session Wednesday and made the message that taxes will not be going up.

Cut back in funds by the state of nearly $2-million, the Conneaut Board has been working to adopt a no-tax increase budget. which will see 36 positions cut, larger classroom numbers especially at the elementary level and cuts in supplies among a number of items

Cuts in the budget in regards to positions show 2 administrators, 20 teachers, 4 full-time special education paraprofessionals, 5 part-time special education paraprofessionals, 3 full-time subs and 2 others are being cut which will save the district some $,1,868,500..

Supplies are being cut by $76,000; EAP tutoring cuts from the state total $72,000; a proposed new language arts curriculum is cut by $486,000; leaving the French Creek Outdoor Learning Center saves $19,835, a decrease in new cleaning contracts is projected to save $16,000; and the Career and Technical School budget portion paid by this district is reduced by $55,863.

At the elementary level, one music teacher, in each area, one art teacher overall, and one gym teacher are being cut. Art teachers and gym teachers will begin to travel among the schools. In some elementary classes, sections are being cut from 3 to 2.

As of May 4, even with $2,344,804.64 in cuts, revenues are still $1,938,302.36 short. A final budget will be approved in June.