Dear Editor,
Editor’s note: the following letter was addressed specifically to members of the Mountain Views School District.
As the vote on the MVSD budget approaches, we wish to further clarify the decisions that were made in the creation of this budget. Through months of meetings with the administration and board members, and consideration of public comments on the budget, the board approved the following cuts:
Central office: 1 full-time accounts payable position; 1 half-time grants manager position; capital projects across the district and utilities reduced
Barnard Academy: 1 half-time classroom teacher; 1 full-time paraeducator
Killington Elementary: 1 full-time classroom teacher; 1 full-time paraeducator
Woodstock Elementary: 1 half-time interventionist; 1 full-time paraeducator
WUHSMS: Partial reduction of library assistant
All schools and central office: Reduction of program supplies and materials; professional development
Reduction in co-curricular and sports: Field trips; transportation; supplies and equipment (10% from supply lines of each sport at the middle/high school); and the WUHS golf team.
In addition, the board put forth an opt-in plan for early release of educators and staff to address the above reductions. As a result, with 12 teachers and staff requesting this option, positions became available for those individuals whose jobs are no longer available. As a result of this plan and ongoing conversations with the MVSU team, no teacher or staff member will leave the district because of a reduction in position.
This budget contains compromises and cuts, and we hope that our communities will support this budget. Board members are always open to speaking to anyone with questions, concerns, or suggestions. Thank you for your patience, constructive comments, and support of our public schools.
Sincerely,
Keri Bristow, MVSU/SD board chair
Ben Ford, MVSU/SD board vice chair
