10 Positions Cut in SAU 90

In order to cope with state budget shortfalls, the Hampton School District has eliminated 10 positions, including the entire family and consumer science program.

School Administrative Unit 90 Superintendent Kathleen Murphy said the positions were cut because the district had to slash $585,600 from its budget due to state teacher retirement system changes and because the district is operating off a default budget.

The Hampton School Board voted to cut the following positions Wednesday: two physical education teachers, one at Marston School and one at Hampton Academy; the Hampton Academy FCS teacher; a Hampton Academy art teacher; two special education positions; the Centre School assistant principal; and three paraprofessionals.

Murphy said the art and FCS positions would have been open due to attrition, although she said all the cuts were "difficult" and "unfortunate."

She said the focus was on maintaining classroom sizes and avoiding educational impact on core courses, which is why she said the board didn't cut any grade-level teachers.

The cuts were made to ensure the $18,320,942 default budget remained unchanged despite the $585,600 in downshifted funds, caused by the state Legislature's decision to reduce the state's retirement system contribution to zero percent.

In addition to eliminating positions, Murphy said the district also cut about $120,000 from the supply, food service, technology and other equipment-related accounts to meet the downshifting.

Murphy said originally around $820,000 may have needed to be cut, although she said other retirements in the district helped bring the number to $585,600.

The next Hampton School Board Meeting in on Tuesday, July 12, at 7 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room at Town Hall.