by Corgan Petersen

Last Monday, the school board met to discuss budget cuts for the upcoming year. The meeting was open to the public, and was the first time most of the public heard the information.  The meeting was held in the high school library, which was filled with lots of concerned community members.

Some of the ideas proposed included, but were not limited to: changes in course offerings, fewer teachers in buildings to teach courses, changing GPA requirement to take IWCC courses from 2.5 to 3.0,  PE requirement changes for seniors, the number of students out for the activity directly correlates to how many assistant coaches can be had, offering summer course to assist in technology work, and cut back on curricular learning team times by sharing more between the high school and middle school.

Atlantic High School principal Heather McKay said, “We’re trying to do all that we can to preserve what education they receive.  We’re really trying to find a way that doesn’t hit the classroom so directly.”  McKay also said, “I wish I knew more as we work, although as we work through it we will learn more details.”

Some of the other cuts included cutting the high school dance team instructor and swimming program.   Another big cut came in the band department, with the band tutor being cut.