Battle Creek's School Board is expected to approve a budget for the coming fiscal year next week.
The district faces a $2.7-million budget shortfall. They approved $2.2-million in cuts Monday night. Battle Creek Enquirer reporter Justin Hinkley told WMUK's Gordon Evans that 20 teaching positions will be eliminated. He says all but four of those teachers should be able to move into new positions.
The Battle Creek district is considering privatizing bus service that could save about $400,000. Hinkley says the board seems ready to move on a plan to seek bids. He says outsourcing bus service was considered previously, but no action was taken.
Hinkley says the district will seek private funding to make improvements to the Outdoor Education Center, also known as Clear Lake Camp. Hinkley says a consultant told the school board during Monday night's meeting that there is community support for maintaining the camp focused on science education.
The cuts approved Monday night do not close the entire budget shortfall. Hinkley says Superintendent Linda Hicks also had an option list of further budget cuts. But he says if further savings are found from things like outsourcing bus service, additional cuts may not be necessary.
