Liberty ends summer school

May 1, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

By robert Guttersohn

Liberty

The school district’s fiscal commission approved Monday the closure of Liberty’s summer-school program as part of a plan that would save an additional $49,500 going into fiscal year 2013, which begins July 1.

Superintendent Stan Watson said the summer school was used mostly for remedial courses and cost the district $13,920 each year, according to district records.

Pam McCurdy, the district’s curriculum director, said up to 70 students enroll in the summer school each year.

Watson said there is no study on the benefits of summer school to students falling behind, but closing it would have a negative impact.

“Anytime you reduce the opportunities for students, it has a negative impact,” Watson said.

The cuts are coupled with $1.2 million in staff reductions that the Liberty board of education and the fiscal commission, charged by the state with guiding the school district out of fiscal emergency, approved in January.

With the additional cuts, the board also postponed voting on the district’s five-year forecast, a financial projection due to the state May 30, so the forecast will reflect the latest round of cuts.

The latest forecast Treasurer James Wilson presented to the fiscal commission predicts a $2.1 million deficit in 2013 and a $13.3 million deficit in 2016.

“We may have to look at going back to the controlling board for a loan that size,” Nehls said of next year’s projected deficit.

If it does get a loan, it would be the second time the district has had to borrow money from the controlling board. The district borrowed $1.9 million in November 2011.

The fiscal commission will have its next meeting at 11 a.m. May 30, when it will vote on whether to approve the forecast.