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Knoxville May Save Pre-School Despite Budget Woes
The superintendent of the Knoxville School District says state budget cuts or not, there's one program he wants to save, while at least one board member doesn't quite see it that way.

On Wednesday, District-202 Superintendent Larry Carlton proposed a laundry list of fee increases and cuts in next year's budget if, as he projects, a $650,000 cut in general state aid is realized as part of a double-digit percentage cut in state education spending.

Carlton is looking at cutting some teachers and teachers aides, not utilizing summer help, cutting some sports that don't make the district money, and raising a number of fees in order to help cut the shortfall.

But one cut Carlton says he doesn't want to make is to the district's pre-school program, even if state funding is never received.

"I am still recommending to the board...pre-school is a very valuable education experience for our kids," Carlton said. "Yes, it's $57,000, and you're seeing other districts in the area drop their pre-school programs. And I strongly urge the board to take a look at it, and continue to offer it."

But board member John Putnam, who arrived at Wednesday night's meeting after Carlton made his presentation, says he thinks pre-school is expendable.

"To me, it's almost an even trade-off," Putnam said. "You can keep all the aides, or you can keep the pre-school and get rid of all the aides. It's almost dollar-for-dollar. And, we don't know if that (pre-school) funding is coming through."

The $57,000 Carlton mentioned pays for the one teacher, transportation, and other program expenses, and because of a transfer, a new teacher would have to be hired next year.

The District-202 board will vote on all the proposed cuts and budget changes next month.
03 18 10 by Newsroom
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