TSC announces staff cuts

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The administration told the Tippecanoe School Corporation (TSC) school board personnel cuts are coming soon.

The state is slicing 4.5 percent from the districts' budget.

Budget cuts add up to layoffs for the Tippecanoe School Corporation.

"We are really going to be losing $3.1 million effective immediately," said TSC Chief financial officer Kim Fox.

The state recently took over paying for all school districts' general funds. The recession meant the state earned fewer dollars and had to make cuts to education. Now TSC is deciding how to balance its books with the least impact.

"Ninety percent of the General Fund budget is staff and benefits. Therefore our reductions need to come in that area," said Assistant Superintendent Susan DeLong.

Options being considered include:

• Reductions to teachers in physical education, art and music
• Fewer librarians and elementary counselors
• Cuts to extra-curricular staff
• Cuts to summer programs
• Cuts to alternative education and adult education

The district said with the large decrease in funds personnel can no longer be spared.

"Impossible for us. We will this year if we don't make any reductions will be spending $7.7-million more than we're going to take in," added Fox.

The state recently awarded two TSC schools, Burnett Creek Elementary and Klondike Middle School, four stars for academic excellence. The corporation said it will continue to provide students a good education despite the staff and program reductions.

"This is the business side of it and we need to function with the business model that is prudent. We're going to be delivering the best education we know how to deliver," said Fox

Kim Fox said the cuts will not immediately affect teacher jobs.

"We do have teacher contracts and those contracts are in place until the end of August. The classroom teacher, the staff will not be affected at this time," said Fox.

Fox said immediate savings means no vacant custodial positions will be filled, and classrooms will see an additional five percent cut for supplies.

Exactly where the final cuts will come from is yet unknown. The district only said they will be deep and wide.