Trying to cut $100,000 from the Murphysboro school district budget, officials may look to certified personnel at tonight's school board meeting at the administration office.

The agenda, released through the board of education, indicates reductions in force of certified positions will be an action item at the 7 p.m. meeting. The board approved $496,000 in budget reductions at its February meeting, when Murphysboro Superintendent Lori James-Gross said the district would have to cut roughly $100,000 more to meet its three-year deficit reduction plan.

Phone calls seeking comment from James-Gross were not returned, but she did say in February cuts in teachers and/or extra-curricular athletic activities might be possible this month.

School board member Julie Erbes said she couldn't respond to questions on personnel cuts, but did say she knows what the board has been asked to cut.

"I don't like it at all that we're in this situation and have to move in that direction," she said.

Murphysboro School Board President Mike Austin could not be reached for comment Monday as well.

Most of the $496,000 in reductions were savings the district got from switching health insurance plans and spending down reserves of health insurance premiums. The district will not replace a retiring first grade teacher, setting up the likelihood of involuntary transfers of teachers. The district's media specialist/librarian is retiring at the end of the school year, but James-Gross said in February someone needs to be hired for that position, but can be done so at a lower rate.

Murphysboro High School Athletic Director Len Novara said Monday he hadn't heard anything about possible cuts to the athletic department and wasn't anticipating any. Last year, the high school and junior high had 22 head coaching positions and 30 paid assistant coaches. The high school boys and track coach was a shared position, and two of his assistants split 25 percent of the track coaches' stipend as their pay.

The board is also expected to take action on the residency requirements for administrators.

- Kristen Cates contributed to this story.

todd.hefferman@thesouthern.com

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