TSC details plan, delays teacher cuts

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - The Tippecanoe School Corporation (TSC) has been facing budgetary woes since the state of Indiana made large cuts to the general funds of schools statewide. On Wednesday, the corporation presented its plan for budget cuts, but delayed a decision on teacher cuts until February 22.

The plan being considered could mean:

• Higher class sizes
• Reductions to art, music and P.E.
• Fewer media specialists
• Fewer counselors
• Fewer teachers

Around 300 people attended the meeting, packing Harrison High School's auditorium. The school board said it has a tough decision ahead of it because all cuts affect education. The district presented its plan for cutting educators. Up to 150 teachers could be laid off, but the district hopes fewer will be let go.

Here's how the plan breaks down:

Elementary Schools
Art, music and P.E. will be reduced 50 percent. Counselors will remain, but at a 20 percent level, meaning 80 percent in cuts to the program. Traveling counselors will go to the different schools. Class size will go up. The district expects classes will grow by one to three students.

Middle Schools
The middle schools will go from an eight period day to seven. The communications period will be eliminated. The seven other classes will gain some time. There will be one period each of Math, English, Science, Social Studies, Wellness (includes Health and P.E.), Band-Choir-Music, and a rotating class. The rotating class will include Family and Consumer Sciences, Art, or Technical Education. A home room could be brought back.  Teaching staff at the middle alternative programs will be reduced by two positions. Extra-curricular stipends will be reduced, including those for the athletics programs. No athletic programs are in jeopardy at this point of being eliminated.

High Schools
The high schools will no longer offer Japanese classes and summer school offerings will be reduced.  Extra curricular stipends including those to athletic programs will be reduced. The gymnastics program at both high schools could be eliminated because of the low participation. The district is looking into the possibility of using volunteers for athletic programs. The Early College Program could be suspended. The district is exploring keeping the program, but parents would have to pay the costs.

All School Levels
Media specialists at all schools will be retained at 20 percent, meaning an 80 percent reduction in staff. Three or four reading remediation positions will be eliminated. The adult education program will also be eliminated.

Administration
This includes the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendents, Chief Financial Officer, Directors, Principals, Athletic Directors and Assistant Principals. The administrators will take three percent cut to compensation. The contribution to health benefits will be reduced to the 2008-2009 level. Two assistant principals will be reduced at the end of 2009-2010, one each at McCutcheon and Harrison. Those employees will be offered other jobs within the corporation. An assistant principal at Mayflower Mill Elementary will be eliminated at the end of the 2010-2011 school year. Administrative mileage reimbursement will be reduced by 50 percent and memberships to professional organizations will be reduced by 10 percent.

Support Staff
Custodial: There will be a hiring freeze. Support staff was reduced by six over the past several months. Openings will not be filled. Temporary workers will be used when cleaning, snow removal, and other responsibilities are unable to be met by the existing staff.

Clerical/Secretarial: A hiring freeze will begin immediately.

All Other Support Staff: A hiring freeze will begin immediately.

All support staff will receive a three percent salary cut beginning July 1, 2010. The health contribution will also be cut to the 2008-2009 contribution level.

School Trustees
Board members will also have their compensation reduced 10 percent. The current yearly salary of a board member is $2,000.

The school board approved all recommendations for reducing compensation of administrators, staff, and the board. The board will discuss teacher reduction in force further at a meeting on February 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the East Tipp Middle School.

The district will also move forward with a referendum. The referendum will not make on the May ballot. The district is exploring special elections options. The corporation will have to pay for the special election. It's also possible the referendum could be on the next regular election in 2011. If the referendum passes, the district will first see money in 2013.