School Board Discusses Cuts and Uniforms

The approved cutting three positions from the school district next year at their agenda-setting meeting Thursday.

The board approved chopping three positions for next school year – including a Pre-K teacher and a paraprofessional. Worthy said the cuts were budgetary and stemmed from a decrease in funding for the Pre-K program.

Additionally, two full-time agriculture science positions were cut to two half-time positions. Lanoue said there weren't enough students at and to justify two full-time positions.

The meeting also included a discussion about school uniforms.

Superintendent Philip Lanoue said he'd speak further with administrators of the six schools seeking school uniform approval – , , , , and Clarke Middle.

Board of Education President Charles Worthy said discussions about uniforms have been going on for years, spearheaded by both parents and school administration.

David Huff, Board of Education member for district eight, said parents had supported uniforms overwhelmingly – 80 percent in one study.

“I've been pulling for this for years and years and years,” said Vernon Payne, Board of Education member for district two.

However, some board members discussed the possibility that uniforms may be costly and difficult for some families to afford.

Denise Spangler, Board of Education member for district one, said she supports the idea of requiring uniforms but wondered whether some of the schools' proposals are too picky. She said one school required, among other things, jackets devoid of logos.

“I don't know where you even go to find a windbreaker with no logo,” she said.

The board will meet again May 12 to further discuss the school uniform proposals and other matters at the regular monthly meeting.