Hallsville superintendent resigns amid expected budget cuts

The Hallsville School District is anticipating more than $900,000 in cuts to next year’s budget. The preliminary budget for the 2016-2017 school year was discussed at Monday night’s Board of Education meeting.

Susan Daly, Board of Education President, also announced the resignation of long-time Hallsville Superintendent John Robertson, citing personal reasons.

Daly said the proposed budget cut is to help refill the district’s Reserve Fund. She said a $1.8 million bond project in 2014 put the school district behind more than what they’re comfortable with.

“The project kind of got started late and the expenses increased by the time they were ordered and things like that,” she said. “Other than that I can’t really elaborate too much on it.”

Several parents voiced their concerns over the budget cuts to board members at the meeting Monday night.

Denise McCord, a Hallsville School District graduate and lifetime resident, said the budget cuts would effect everyone.

“It effects my kids. It effects our community. It effects my friends, which are teachers,” she said. “It effects everyone around us. To grow up in this community and to see where we’re at, it’s personal.”

The preliminary 2016-2017 school year budget estimates $911,675 in total cuts when compared to the district’s current budget.

About one-third of the cuts would come from freezing salaries for teachers and administrators as well as capping health insurance costs.

Right now, Daly said the school district isn’t planning to fire any teachers, but some teaching positions may be shifted around.

“We want to be able to pay our teachers, we want to be able to give them raises,” she said. “We have to be competitive with other school districts.”

Another cut that would save the school district an estimated $10,000 would be to move its PRIDE Academy back on campus with the other schools.

PRIDE is a program designed for students who are at risk of dropping out.

Many parents were very passionate and emotional when speaking to board members about changing the program in the proposed budget.

“They need this program,” McCord said. “Pride academy is one I really hope our board takes a little more time on deciding what to do with it.”

Daly said the board members will continue adjusting next year’s budget at each meeting. They have until June 30th to approve a final budget.