Watkins cuts 11 staff positions

WATKINS GLEN—Watkins Glen Superintendent Tom Phillips announced, Monday, March 21, that the school district will terminate 11 staff positions due to budget shortfalls.
Phillips said the cuts will take place as of June 30, 2011.  These reductions include:
• 5.5 elementary teaching positions.
• 3 high school positions.
• 1 district administrative position.
• 1 district guidance position.
He added that without these positions, there is still a revenue gap of $520,000. The district is still looking at the 2011-12 budget for further cuts.
In addition to the proposed reductions stated above, the district eliminated and would not replace nine positions through retirement and reorganization.
Phillips said the district is also looking at consolidations and reductions in transportation, athletics, field trips, conferences, purchasing equipment, etc.
There is also a town hall meeting about the budget, March 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the elementary auditorium, to discuss all of these issues.