A-JCHS Board approves cuts

A wide range of budget-saving actions were approved at last week's regular meeting of the Anna-Jonesboro Community High School District 81 Board of Education.

The meeting was Monday night, Feb. 27, in the media center at the Union County school.

District 81 superintendent Jim Woodward said the action taken by the board comes in light of the state's ongoing fiscal crisis and its impact on Illinois school budgets, as well as declining enrollment numbers at A-JCHS.

Cuts approved by the school board are expected to save District 81 around $180,000.

Woodward said the district will be working over the next three years to craft a balanced budget.

The board last week approved the following cuts:

Eliminate the cross country program.

Eliminate the dance program.

Eliminate the forensic program.

Reduce by one the number of paid assistant coaches in the following sports: golf, football, boys' and girls' soccer, boys' and girls' basketball, track and wrestling.

Eliminate a stipend for pep band.

Eliminate two assistant math team coaches.

Pay only the registration fee for board members to the state school board convention.

Conduct a school musical every other year.

Reduce underclass sporting events by 10 to 15 percent.

Motions also were approved:

•For an athletic fee of $25 per sport.

•Authorizing the honorable dismissal of a certified employee.

•Authorizing the honorable dimissal of a non-certified employee.

•Authorizing a fee increase for driver's education from $50 to $100.