The Culver Community Schools Corporation is moving ahead with the process of cutting up to four teaching positions. The school board Monday passed a resolution determining the need for a decrease in the number of certificated staff.
The resolution cites a $250,000 reduction in General Fund support from the state for this year and the need for the corporation to cut $440,000 from its budget. The removal of four teaching positions is in line with recommendations brought before the school board in December, which were based on discussions involving the corporation’s treasurer, financial adviser, and former superintendent Vicki McGuire.
While school board members this week expressed regret that cuts needed to be made, member Ryan Sieber pointed out that school corporations around the state are in the same situation. “Unfortunately, I think a lot of school boards are going to make the same decision we did tonight, and none of us enjoy it whatsoever,” he said. “I shrug my shoulders and scratch my head. I don’t know what the answer is to get more kids into our buildings. We continue to try to do the right things: build the pride, keep our character, all the positive things. And to the teachers and to the administrators, the bus drivers, the coaching, everything that goes on across the streets – I view that we’re not missing anything.” Board member Bill Sonnemaker also noted that the four cuts being made at Culver Schools seem less severe when compared to the 24 reductions taking place at the North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation.
The Culver School Board approved the resolution unanimously. Now, the next step is for Interim Superintendent Chuck Kitchell to meet with school principals Brett Berndt and Erin Proskey to determine which teachers will be cut. Then after May 1, the affected teachers will be notified of the elimination of their positions. After that, they will have the opportunity to meet privately with Kitchell and then the school board. At that point, the board will be able to take official action to remove the specific positions. The cuts would take effect at the end of the school year.
