WL teachers saved, other positions cut

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind, (WLFI) - The West Lafayette School board met for a special session. Two teachers will get their jobs back, but many more staff members will be asked not to return because of budget cuts.

The West Lafayette School Education Foundation presented the board with a $100,000 check. Budget cuts forced the district to cut 11 teachers and an administrator. Now some will able to return in the fall.

"The plan will be to hire back two teachers," said WLSC Superintendent Rocky Killion.

The names of the returning teachers will be announced in about a week. The board was then forced to cut seven paraprofessionals and tutors and 18 assistant coaches. The cuts will effect all the sports teams in the district. The reductions will save about $175,000.

"Tightening the belt because we're not sure what the funding will be until the special session is over and to capture as many cost reductions as we can until we get that information," said Killion.

The district continues to wait on the state legislature to pass a budget so the corporation knows how much money to expect for the next school year. It's possible some of the positions could be saved once the budget is finalized.

"We'll put them on a call back list and we'll call them back as needed," explained Killion.

But those who live in West Lafayette are being proactive about the prospect of facing future budget woes. The community also presented the school board with a petition for a tax referendum. The petition included 414 signatures from West Lafayette residents asking for a vote on an opportunity to have an extra tax to fund the school system.

"It would provide local funding for the General fund," said Killion.

Meaning it can be used for teacher salaries. The board will receive more information on the option in July. The soonest a referendum could appear on a ballot is May 2010.