Souhegan Cuts Could Hit Staff

Towns are looking everywhere in their budgets to with funding down and wallets thinning for taxpayers,

Souhegan High School is looking for ways to save money, but wants to keep those cuts away from the school employees.

SHS principal John Ingram presented the first draft of the high school’s budget to the Souhegan Cooperative School Board at their meeting last Thursday.

The proposed FY13 budget is $18,713,732, which is a $174,396 increase over last year’s total approved budget.

Ingram said at the meeting that the school is working to update its infrastructure and improve technology in the classrooms. The budget also includes increases within the athletics program at the high school.

He added that further cuts may have to be made and, although he said that staff cuts are a last resort, they would have to be considered if large reductions are needed.

“When we start talking about big dollar amounts, we have to look at staff,” said Ingram. “Our goal is to keep as many of these cuts away from the classroom as possible.”

He added that any staffing cuts would affect the programs that would be available to students.

Changes could be made in administration, which could include removing a dean position or reconfiguring student services.

“We will have to look closely at how we are staffed and make some very difficult decisions,” said Ingram.

The SAU #39 school district as a whole is looking at a in the next fiscal year.