South Country school leaders proposing another 55 staff cuts to address ongoing financial instability
The district said the proposal is part of its continuing three-year financial recovery plan.
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The South Country School District is once again facing the real threat of having to cut staff to balance its books for the upcoming year.
At Wednesday night's board of education meeting, South Country Superintendent of Schools Antonio Santana said the district is proposing to cut 55 jobs, including 43 teachers and five administrators.
"I remain fully committed to the community, remaining transparent about the challenges before us and to working with the Board of Education and our entire school community to put the district back on a stable path moving forward," he said.
This comes after the district cut 53 jobs last year and made mid-year cuts as it continues to develop a three-year financial recovery plan.
The district's financial troubles have long been documented, but peaked after officials were forced to hire an outside independent auditor to look into the district's books. The audit focused on how the district blew through its $143 million budget for the 2024-25 school year and the lingering impacts that it continues to have.
Upset parents and teachers spoke out at last night's meeting.
“We are already bare-boned; we have schools that are on a state list of needing improvement, you do not get off of state lists by making these kinds of cuts," South Country schools teacher Matthew Kinigson said.
The district is also considering a proposal to limit private school busing for students who live within a 15-mile radius instead of the current 25-mile radius.
The change would save the district $900,000, but leave 121 students without transportation.
The South Country board of education is holding a business meeting to discuss the budget and staffing on March 25 at 6:15 p.m. at the district office.
