Jobs, alternative school slashed from Perry district budget

Six jobs, the alternative school and a career center engine class will be cut at the end of the school year, Perry County School District leaders announced Tuesday.

They released two substantial lists -- one of programs and positions to be eliminated at the end of this school year and another of those to be eliminated if a tax levy increase fails in November.

The gifted education program, all extracurricular activities, including all sporting events and school-sponsored clubs, and several teaching and educational support positions are on the second list. Students would have to live three and a half miles from school for bus service instead of the current one mile.

To prevent all of that from happening, district officials say, voters must approve a 50-cent tax-levy increase on the Nov. 6 ballot. Perry County voters have defeated all 10 school tax- increase issues presented them since 1974.

Athletics would suffer most from a defeated tax levy in November. Some students say they're feeling nervous.

"Sports aren't just for fun," said Lisa Pecaut, a Perryville High School sophomore. "I depend on sports for college scholarships. I'm terrified. If it doesn't pass, I'm going to have to go to another school and start all over."

Some students, like freshman Jeremy Taylor, look forward to playing high school football their whole lives and don't relish the thought of losing the program.

"If it doesn't pass, I'm going to curl up in my bed and cry," he said.

Public information

Assistant superintendent Richard Francis said it is hard to remain optimistic when voters haven't passed a tax increase in over 25 years, but he is trying.

Over the next month, he said, administrators are going to try to inform the public about the financial needs as much as possible.

"Even after the cuts, we still have a deficit," Francis said. "We'll finish out this year as budgeted, but if the levy fails, we'll have to make changes starting with the 2002-03 school year."

The list of items to be eliminated came from a decision by the board of education Monday night. It's a decision that interim superintendent Beverly Schonhoff stands behind.

"The board is adamant about making these cuts," she said. "I am hopeful this community will support its children. ... I hope they trust us to prudently manage the 50 cents if it is provided."

She said the students deserve the opportunity to participate in activities.

The cuts in programming came after the district used $800,000 from the reserve fund over the past two years. The district's tax base did not grow as anticipated, said Francis, while the number of programs and classes offered and the costs for running them increased.

The first cuts include four secretarial positions, an aide and a library assistant at various schools and the board office. The second, potential round includes slashing time for music and art, marketing and welding classes, two secretarial positions, and a vocational-resource and an agricultural educator.

Parental support

Parents of students at Perryville High School say they understand it is time for a levy to be passed.

"It should have happened a long time ago," said Lois Pilz, mother of a sophomore at Perryville High School. "It needs to pass not just for the sports but for other organizations too. Sports, the band, the clubs, they all keep the kids off the streets and give them something else to do besides watch TV."

Jim and Patricia Hacker, parents of a ninth-grader at the high school, said they will pay their share to help the schools and they understand why the district has taken this latest approach to try to win over voters.

"They had to do something to open people's eyes because the people here are so anti-tax," Patricia Hacker said. "If the tax base was as high as other districts I would say 'Yeah, right,' but it's not, and something has to be done."

In the meantime, students, athletes and coaches aren't sitting on the sidelines. They are thinking of ways to get people to vote.

Taylor and teammate Mike Schamburg said they are going to tell their parents to vote yes so they can continue to play sports, but if the levy fails they are still going to train in case the sports are reinstated.

"We're still going to go to football camp," Taylor said. "And I guess we'd have to bring back the BYFL, Back Yard Football League."

Pecaut, the volleyball player, said she will promote the tax issue.

"I think the marching band should march up and down the streets telling people that it will be cut if the levy doesn't pass," said Pecaut. "I'm going to get my class to make fliers and hand them out door to door asking people to vote."

hkronmueller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128