Negaunee Schools Need More Cuts

The Neagunee Public Schools are a step closer to erasing the huge budget deficit staring them in the face for this fall.

But the ideas suggested at a budget workshop last night will be a tough pill to swallow.

Last month, the school board laid off 7 teachers.

Those job cuts, and employee retirements, fill most of Negaunee’s $1.5 million deficit.

But there’s still more than $250,000 left to go.

Superintendent Jim Derocher says the remaining options include things like reducing some full-time staff to part-time schedules, losing the school nurse or losing noon-hour supervision at Negaunee Middle School.

He says whatever is done will affect kids and the programs the district can offer them.

June 30th is the deadline to pass a balanced budget for next year.

The school board has a meeting on the 28th, and it’s expected to finalize the budget that night.

The district is in contract talks this summer with teachers, custodians and the transportation unit.

Derocher is hoping for some labor concessions from all of them.