VIGO COUNTY, Ind – At Monday nights Vigo County School Board meeting Superintendent Dr. Rob Haworth provided answers to questions many have been asking about proposed budget cuts.
The school corporation has been spending its cash reserves and because of that Superintendent Haworth and the School Board have a referendum on the November ballot asking voters to approve a property tax increase of $7 million annually.
To find our how your property taxes will be affected by the referendum just click the Indiana Gateway graphic below.
Dr Haworth presented $5.1 million in budget cuts that he is asking to school board to approve.
Proposed Spending Cuts In PDF Format
Proposed Spending Cuts In PowerPoint Format
The proposal comes after numerous community meetings held over the past few months. Ideas on how to cut expenses and increase revenue were provided by area residents, parents and teachers during those meetings.
It’s a three phase plan that will be spread out over the next couple of years. The plan includes a $20,000 pay cut for Dr. Haworth and a 4.75% pay cut for top central administrators.
The three-phase plan calls for the closing of two elementary schools and the closing of another building later. That third building could be McClain alternative high school. That program would likely be moved to the Booker T. Washington High School.
School buses would be replaced every 13 years opposed to the current 12 year replacement schedule.
The Administration building would be sold and administrators would move into vacant space after other buildings are re-purposed. That vacant space would likely be the McClain building at this point.
The plan does not call for eliminating any current employees but several positions will not be filled when they become vacant as someone retires or quits.
Dr. Haworth said that some of the cost saving measures are already being implemented.
The School Board could take action on the plan as soon as their November 4th meeting.
Click the play button below to hear Dr Haworth talk with the media ( our radio stations, WTHI TV, WTWO TV, and the Trib-Star) after the Board Meeting and discuss the proposal.
( this is unedited audio)