Lakeview schools plan for additional cuts

CORTLAND — After passing $500,000 in cuts earlier this month, another $400,000 in cuts could be coming to the district if a 7.5-mil levy does not pass in March.

The Lakeview Board of Education unanimously passed a “budget reduction and revenue enhancement plan” that would take affect if the levy does not pass.

The potential cuts in the plan would offset a $400,000 deficit the district could be facing in June 2009.

The plan calls for cutting six teachers in addition to the five teachers and a curriculum director cut earlier this month. Superintendent Robert Wilson said the district may be able to cut only five additional teachers through the plan, but that won’t be known until the end of the year.

He hopes the cuts could be done through attrition, in simply not replacing retired teachers. The six cuts though the plan would save the district $275,000.

The plan also calls for the implementation of pay-to-play sports and extra-curricular activities.

Lakeview Middle School students would pay $100 per sport or a $200 maximum for multiple sports. Lakeview High School students would pay $300 per sport or a $600 maximum.

Students taking part in extra-curricular activities would pay $25 to $50.

For more, see Tuesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com