by Turner Russell

Story #4 in the Budget Cut series.

The Atlantic Community School District held a board meeting on Monday, Feb. 9, and discussed budget cuts. During the meeting, a list of  cuts were confirmed and approved, which will result in an estimated decrease of $682,616 for the coming school year.

Around $35,000 will be cut from student activities, impacting students involved in both swimming and dance team. Superintendent Michael Amstein said, “The board asked us to try and stay away from instruction. None were easy to make, we try to prioritize.”

Amstein said, “I don’t think it will impact (the high school) too significantly. I think it will effect the middle school the most.” Amstein used the high school drama class for an example of a possible change, suggesting that the middle school and high school could possibly share an instructor next year. Amstein included that he knows “It is difficult, but there are good things that come out of it too.”

Before the board meeting started, people attending the meeting were allowed a public comment. The first to speak was Dr. Keith Swanson. Swanson invited both the financial advisor and the administrator to “resign from their positions” or “be replaced.”

The second public comment was in regards to the AHS swim team. Jackie Samson asked the board members to “consider an amendment to the agenda” and “cut the funding for the program, but do not cut the program itself.” Samson explained, “We feel that we have the vehicles in place to help feed that money to the school.” The board later voted to possibly keep the swim team program, but formally cut its funding. Board member Kristy Pellet suggested that Jackie Samson and Jennifer Miller be given a time table to present a specific plan for finances to the board.

An auditor also spoke to the board about ACSD’s budget and discussed various items necessary to stay within the law.

Funding for the Atlantic High School dance team will also be cut. Students today said they are hoping the program can be maintained despite the cut of funding.

Board member Rod Hartwig and Amstein both think that the elimination of CLT will be the hardest for AHS to absorb in the coming year. Amstein said, “I think it is hard for them (students) to understand the impact of low state funding throughout the year. As costs increase and we try to provide the most activities we can, its hard to keep up.” Amstein also added that “a district typically has cost increases of 3% per year.”

#1 in the series:https://ahsneedle.com/16841/school-news/budget-cuts/

#2 in the series: https://ahsneedle.com/16966/sports/board-to-cut-35k-from-activities/

#3 in the series: https://ahsneedle.com/16966/sports/board-to-cut-35k-from-activities/

#5 in the series: https://ahsneedle.com/17206/uncategorized/17206/

#6 in the series: https://ahsneedle.com/17225/uncategorized/budget-cuts-affects-band-department/