By Megan Collier
Review staff writer
Plans have changed for middle school restructuring, slated to take place next school year.
Now, money-saving changes at the middle schools won’t include cuts in programming.
‘We know we have to reduce costs. There’s obviously going to be elimination of some staff members, but there’s been a concern regarding the reduction and elimination of programming,? said Heidi Kast, assistant superintendent of educational services, noting changing from the original plan is to keep within state and federal educational requirements.
The original plan was one taken ‘off the shelf? to cut costs. It called for reducing staff by 10.25, chopping Life Management and reducing Computers/Modern Technology, as well as moving team-teaching approach so teachers meet before school hours instead of during the day. School hours would remain the same, but schedules will change from seven to six classes.
Now, students will see no elimination of programming, and though some staff reductions are still in the works, fewer staff will be affected. The plan calls for other teachers to take on the instructional burden of their laid-off colleagues.
Fewer reductions also means less savings; Kast says now only six staff will be reduced, though she couldn’t pinpoint ex