Board Of Education Votes To Cut Positions, Transportation To Absorb State Budget Cuts

In the face of statewide education budget cuts, the Westlake Board of Education decided Monday to take action and eliminate 17 teaching positions, 20 other full-time classified positions and all high school transportation in the next school year. The resolution approved by the board will also reduce the contract for the director of pupil services by 60 percent and the contract for the gifted coordinator will be reduced by 50 percent.

The possibility remains that as many as three to five additional reductions will need to made in June.

The resolution is the latest chapter in a heated conversation over budgets, salaries and what students and teachers and taxpayers really deserve. Last month, , Two weeks ago, about where and what to cut, splitting the five-member board.

There were no such fireworks or distractions Monday night, but about 250 attended in the first hour. The meeting started on time, stretched across a little more than two hours and included more focus on student achievement rather than teacher or taxpayer discontent. The board recognized one teacher for her exemplary work, another teacher told how she was proud of the schools and her students, and two residents voiced their concerns over board procedures during recent months.

“What I look for is being able to run a board meeting where we’re dealing with the day-to-day matters that are presented to us,” board President Tom Mays said. “We don’t run the school; we don’t micromanage. That’s not our job. We’re here to provide the best education possible within the parameters.”