No. 3 — Budget cuts take effect at AHS
By Logan A. Speed
Published May 24, 2018
Aitkin schools announced several budget cuts following the 2017-18 school year, including the elimination of several positions. The eliminated positions included: Assistant high school principal Chad Pederson, high school interventionist Terry Mehr, elementary media center secretary Amanda Byrnes, half-time elementary music teacher, and high school receptionist Julie Fallgren. Extra-curricular assignments that were reduced included equipment manager Jen Waldorf and speech coach Angie Hanlon. Based on seniority, Mehr will be reassigned within the district.
Total salaries for the positions amounts to $183,718
Some are worried that budget cuts can have a negative impact on the whole school. In the words of retired AHS teacher Scott Sherman, “There are no cuts at the district level, and two new district positions.” He went on to say the cuts suggested will have a direct negative effect on students’ lives on a daily basis. "What are the things you are basing this on?” he said. “Is this a way of getting rid of people that have caused problems in the past?
“I don’t think this is the way it should be done.”
There has been backlash for many weeks after the cuts were announced and most likely will be for months to come. Overall the night of the meeting was a dreary day, cold, almost snowing out. It was an even gloomier sight inside the high school media center that night as the room was quiet. Almost too quiet, as faculty and community members listened with intent ears for the news as to who was cut from the school’s budget.
Published May 24, 2018
Aitkin schools announced several budget cuts following the 2017-18 school year, including the elimination of several positions. The eliminated positions included: Assistant high school principal Chad Pederson, high school interventionist Terry Mehr, elementary media center secretary Amanda Byrnes, half-time elementary music teacher, and high school receptionist Julie Fallgren. Extra-curricular assignments that were reduced included equipment manager Jen Waldorf and speech coach Angie Hanlon. Based on seniority, Mehr will be reassigned within the district.
Total salaries for the positions amounts to $183,718
Some are worried that budget cuts can have a negative impact on the whole school. In the words of retired AHS teacher Scott Sherman, “There are no cuts at the district level, and two new district positions.” He went on to say the cuts suggested will have a direct negative effect on students’ lives on a daily basis. "What are the things you are basing this on?” he said. “Is this a way of getting rid of people that have caused problems in the past?
“I don’t think this is the way it should be done.”
There has been backlash for many weeks after the cuts were announced and most likely will be for months to come. Overall the night of the meeting was a dreary day, cold, almost snowing out. It was an even gloomier sight inside the high school media center that night as the room was quiet. Almost too quiet, as faculty and community members listened with intent ears for the news as to who was cut from the school’s budget.