South Central Latest School District to Make Cuts, Raise Fees

South Central school board members Wednesday approved several cuts and enacted various fee increases, following the lead of several other area districts trying to deal with reductions in state funding.

The South Central board agreed to eliminate all extracurricular transportation, and all unfunded field trips.  The Board also eliminated sixth grade basketball, fifth and sixth grade cheerleading, frosh/soph baseball and basketball, all assistant coaching positions and all clubs.  The fall baseball season will have a limit of 12 games plus the conference tournament.  Spring baseball will be limited to 20 games plus the state tournament.  The number of sports to be offered will be two per gender at both the high school and middle school.

The Board also eliminated one class sponsor from the freshman, sophomore and senior classes, the eighth grade class sponsor, and the concert band and choral concert sponsors.

South Central board members approved increases in fees, including registration by 10 dollars, driver's education to $100, athletic event admission by $1, athletic passes by $5, all student meals by 10 cents, and adult meals to $2.50.  Additionally, an athletic activity fee will be charged.  A student who participates in one sport will be charged $40.  Any student who participates in two sports will be charged $60.

In personnel matters, South Central board members approved a leave for Kara Short, accepted a letter of retirement from Dee Schnarre effective on December 3, accepted the resignations of Stacy Lockhart as middle school volleyball coach and Lydia Middleton as high school JV volleyball coach, approved a leave for Alan Linder, and approved an unpaid leave for Sarah Payne.

The South Central board also set a meeting to seat newly-elected Board members and to reorganize the Board for May 2.