If the positions are eliminated, it would save the district $158,616 — $88,120 for the full-time French teacher and $70,496 for the part-time teacher (.8 of a position). However, first- and second-year French programs would no longer be available to students. Students’ options would include enrolling in French through the Virtual High School program in SAU 16 or taking Spanish classes.

Reid also spoke on the necessity of the librarian position, emphasizing that the state requires a librarian for each school.

School Board members also discussed whether to keep in place the 2 percent increases in salaries for administrators and personnel on the top of the pay scale.

“I can’t stomach the fact that people would be getting raises while others are losing their jobs,” said School Board member Kelly Foster.

The superintendent said the 2 percent increase, amounting to about $30,000, would act as a pool of funds rather than an across-the-board increase. He said some personnel, such as custodians and secretaries, have not received raises since 2007.

At the School Board’s next meeting on April 7, members will decide on which positions and/or programs to eliminate as a way to address the potential budget gap.

For the rest of the article, go to Potential for 11 school layoffs