Teacher Salaries, Busing, Class Size Could Be Effected
Read more: Local, Education, Community, TCAPS, School Budget, Transportation
TRAVERSE CITY -- The area’s largest district is preparing to slash $6 million dollars from the 2010-2011 budget.
Traverse City Area Public Schools has been preparing for these cuts for several months. Superintendent Jim Feil has been working with a Budget Advisory Task Force to find ways to cut millions.
Jim Feil says "Our effort is trying to make sure we're doing everything possible to have the board make informative decision."
Some of the recommended reductions the school board will vote on February 8th include saving $3.3 million dollars by cutting staff salaries and benefits. This would require TCAPS to renegotiate contracts with union representatives.
School bus drivers could soon see several changes. The budget task force is recommending turning over special education busing to the Traverse Bay Area ISD. The move could save the district $700,000 dollars, but bus drivers are speaking out against the idea.
TCAPS CFO & Executive Director of Maintenance, Paul Soma says “I think they’ve appreciated working for TCAPS. That’s where they want to continue to work and I don’t blame them.”
That is not the only change TCAPS transportation could see. The school board will decide if $500,000 should be cut by changing some transportation routes. This could potentially put younger children on buses with older students.
To view the entire list of recommended reductions click here.
