PAWNEE — The Pawnee Board of Education is considering a fee-based pre-kindergarten program for the 2010-11 school year.
Pawnee board members, meeting late last week, approved eliminating pre-K for next year, but said they’ll hear in April an administrative report describing how a potential fee-based program could be structured, according to School Superintendent Lyle Rigdon.
About 80 children are enrolled in Pawnee’s pre-K classes, with the program costing about $140,000 annually to operate.
The board also left open the possibility of restoring pre-kindergarten if the district gets enough government grant money.
Also at Friday’s meeting, the Pawnee board for next year eliminated the junior/senior high dean of students and the position of athletic director, a move that will save about $42,000.
A teacher probably will be appointed to handle athletic director duties, for which he or she would be paid an extra stipend. The junior-senior high principal and guidance counselor will take over the dean of students’ responsibilities, Rigdon said.
The board also approved returning to a traditional eight-hour day at the high school, rather than a “block” schedule that allows for longer class periods. A traditional schedule will allow the district to operate with fewer teachers and save about $170,000, officials said.
The Pawnee board, which declined to extend Rigdon’s contract for next year, expects by next month to have an agreement in place for an interim superintendent for 2010-11.
Because the interim superintendent will work only part-time, the district expects to save $50,000 to $60,000 on its superintendent salary, Rigdon said.
Debra Landis can be reached through the metro desk at 788-1517.
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