Monday Dec. 9th Vigo County School Board Meeting was busy with end of the year spending talks.

The School Board heard public comment on some of the School Administrations plans to reduce its spending. A topic of contention is the closing of McLean Alternative school and 3 elementary schools.

Those that spoke at the meeting hope the School Board will not make cuts as outlined by the Administration. Speakers did not comment on teachers giving up the $4 million dollars in teacher raises as a means of doing this.

Speakers also asked that schools in poor areas be left open rather than using school population and building conditions.

The State of Indiana has identified 8 indicators that would put the Vigo County School Corporation on watch for a potential intervention by the State. Cutting $5.5 million dollars in excess spending on Administration pay, utilities, unused classrooms, under utilized schools, poor bus routing, and other waste as well as increasing revenue through virtual school, are among the steps necessary to keep VCSC afloat.

Teachers will be getting a 5% raise on Jan. 1st under a new contract ratified by the teachers union. Also, starting teacher salary will increase $3000 a year for a teacher with a BS degree.

The teacher pay hike is funded by property tax increase passed in November’s election.

School Board Members will need to approve the budget cuts at some point. They will take a look at them again at the next meeting scheduled in January.