Instructional programs were spared but the budget ax eliminated a number of teaching positions as the Eldon R-1 School District struggles to balance its budget through a troubled economic climate.
According to Superintendent Matt Davis, the cuts were necessary to trim the district’s expenditures by $650,000 to compensate for decreases in state funding and a decline in local tax revenue.
“Fortunately no instructional programs were eliminated with these reductions. The existing staff will work together to absorb the responsibilities of the eliminated positions,” Davis said.
The district will continue to monitor the situation and make decisions to balance the budget, while at the same time, Davis said, working to provide the best educational experience for students of Eldon R-1 with the given resources.
The cuts have been made to different subject areas including art, family and consumer science and industrial arts. The district has also cut a literacy coach and the director of Curriculum and Professional Development position.
Several staff positions were eliminated through attrition or termination.
Notification to all employees who will not have a position in the fall due to budget cuts have been sent.
Already this fiscal year, the district has noticed sharp drops in revenue from local sales tax dollars and state funding. By next fiscal year, Davis said the district will be impacted further by lower assessed valuations and more cuts from the state.
The district maintained the Mustang Academy, the high school’s alternative program, without making any cuts.
Last year that program graduated 33 students. The drop out rate has gone from 4.3 percent to 2.6 percent and the graduation rate went from 78.9 percent to 86.8 percent.
Eldon, Mo. —
