What the $7.4 million in cuts would mean at a middle school

Black Hawk Allocations 2005-2006

For the 05-06 school year Black Hawk faces reductions due to a dropping enrolment combined with district budget cuts. Projected in the 2004-2005 school year at 440 the school was allocated accordingly. For the 05-06 school-year projections are 400 and current registration data validates that number. In a budget year without reductions that drop in enrolment would result in approximately 2.0 allocation reduction (the equivalent of 2 full-time certificated staff members). With the addition of budget cuts, the actual allocation reduction at Black Hawk for the 05-06 school year is 4.3 allocations. Reaching that number of cuts means cutting across numerous areas.

Our first priority is to maintain class sizes in the 20-25 to 1 student teacher ratio in core academic classes (Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Math). From there we work to provide students a breadth of exploratory opportunities in foreign language, arts and sciences as well as providing for the diverse social, emotional and guidance needs of our diverse population. With these priorities in mind the following cuts were necessary:

Area	04-05 Allocation	05-06 Allocation	Reduction
Family Consumer Ed	.90	0	.90
Art	.60	.50	.10
Foreign Language	2.0	1.5	.50
Band/Orchestra/Choir	2.0	1.5	.50
Physical Education	2.0	1.5	.50
Guidance Counselor	1.5	1.0	.50
Social Worker	1.0	.80	.20
School Psychologist	1.0	.80	.20
Library Services	1.3	1.0	.30
Core Academics	17.6	17	.60

The areas noted above cover a broad range of departments and subject areas. Cuts are always difficult. The reduction of core academics as well as music and foreign language affect Black Hawk dramatically. Sixth grade class sizes will begin the year at 25. The reduction in foreign language and band result in a loss of depth of an experience for our students and affects our intervention/accelerate programming for students. A successful referendum will allow us to hire an additional sixth grade teacher and to increase our allocations in Spanish and Music.

What the $7.4 million in cuts would mean at...: ...an elementary school; ...a high school

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