Staff reductions in place for East Lycoming School District
HUGHESVILLE – After much plea-bargaining it was decided not to replace four of the teachers from the 13 who will be retiring at the end of this school year.
The four positions not being replaced are in choral music, art, elementary physical education and a school resource officer.
The preliminary budget remains at about $21 million, with a 1.21 mill increase.
A few parents expressed displeasure with the district making the cuts, and what they said is not paying full attention to the musical and art education of students. Several claimed their children’s lives changed for the better by taking the courses. But Superintendent Michael Pawlik said the district is planning to do more with teachers who have multiple certifications.
Pawlik said at a time when schools are furloughing teachers, the district is financially stable. In fact, he said, the state Department of Education is surveying school districts statewide to find out how many won’t have enough money to get through this school year.
In addition, the district is looking to increase its course options.
“We’re going to have seventh through 12th-grade band class, a chorus class for ninth through 12th grade and we’re adding music electives as well as science.”
The district is more financially stable than others because of planning by previous administration and school board, some of whom remain on the board through election cycles, according to Pawlik.