Cody Schools Cut Staff

Due to the drastic financial situation at the State level, the Cody School Board this week made some tough decisions to eliminate several staff positions throughout Park County School District 6.

Superintendent Ray Shulte says that over a two-year period, the district is looking at 2 million dollars in budget cuts.

Many of the cuts that the board has taken action on have to do with staffing. 13 teachers in the district have chosen to take early retirement, which allowed administrators to reassign of staff to different positions. Additionally, an elementary library position was eliminated; math, science and social studies positions were eliminated at the middle school; and a vocational and a language arts teacher at the high school were cut. However, no programs have been eliminated at this point.

Shulte says one of the more controversial decisions made by the board was to cut by over half the gifted and talented, or Gate program. Only one teacher will remain assigned to that program, although Shulte adds that other staff will pick up administrative duties. This decision was made despite vocal opposition from parents and students, but that will reduce the district’s overall budget by $107,000 dollars.

Shulte adds that as the Legislature has not completed its work to mitigate the statewide funding crisis, he is sure that the board will have more tough decisions to make in the months to come.