Northwest closing gets added to list of HCCSC cost-cutting options

Huntington County Tab:

The Huntington County Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees spent a fourth evening on Wednesday, April 13, reviewing cost-cutting options, but this time with an addition - Northwest Elementary School was added to the list of possible school closings.

Schools Superintendent Tracey Shafer again presented numerous slides detailing ways the corporation could narrow down its expected $2 million budget shortfall for the rest of 2011 and all of 2012. He said the corporation has implemented an estimated $1.25 million in cost savings for 2011 and is considering four routes the corporation could take to make more cuts.

To make up the rest of the shortfall, Shafer said, the corporation could reduce staff and programming; pass a general fund referendum; close schools and repurpose those buildings; or allow the state to take over, giving the government power over the corporation's finances and possibly academics.