Schools

Lakeville Schools Could Lose Deans, Counselors, in Effort to Trim $3.5 Million

The Lakevlle Area Public School District must trim $3.5 million from an already lean budget thanks to enrollment declines.

Lakeville's middle and high schools may lose most of the building deans as the school district looks to trim $3.5 million from a budget that's already been trimmed to the breaking point.

In addition, it's likely eight full-time teachers—or more—would be part of the trimming by way of section reductions, as well as one of the two full-time high school athletic directors, and much of the district's technology personnel.

"We just can't make ends meet," said Linda Swanson, the district's communications coordinator. "Cuts have to take place. Right now, with declining enrollment—it's just the situation we're in."

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The budget proposal is just that—a proposal, Swanson said. The school board will discuss the adjustments at a 5 p.m. work session scheduled for Feb. 26 at the District Office, prior to its regular meeting at 7 p.m.

As is, the proposal would literally scrap Lakeville’s long-standing principal-dean model. In its place, the schools would go to principal/associate principal model with counselors, Swanson said.

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"Some deans in the buildings now could move, but it would be a different pay structure," Swanson said. "We'd be looking at a different skill set in the buildings."

As for the cutting of teachers in the proposal, Swanson said it would come by way of looking at sections and making efficiencies.

"For example, if we have three sections of kindergarten with 14 students in each class, we'd instead go with two sections of 21," she said.

In addition, the proposal calls for the elimination of four learning specialists and four counselors at the elementary level, the technology support specialists in the middle schools, as well as the district's coordinator of technology.

Swanson said the district could also look to sell land, and further cut transportation costs.

Swanson said there will be future work sessions as well as a public information and feedback meeting sometime in March.

The board will have to pass a list of $3.5 million in adjustments on March 26.


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