Cindy Ward, Kankakee Valley Post-News editor

Last December Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, amidst seriously decreased state revenues due to the recession, cut funding to state agencies, higher education and K-12 education funds. For K-12 education that meant a $300 million dollar cut. By Jan. 14 the Kanakakee Valley School Corporation was notified their budget would be cut by $999,575. The near million dollar cut translates to a five percent reduction, as the school's yearly budget is $20 million. School Corporation Superintendent Glenn Kruger is trying to keep people employed and to keep school programs. But to do this all employee's would need to take a salary reduction, "I really just want to keep people employed. In this economy there are no jobs out there. I don't want to see anyone lose their job," said Krueger. Krueger had hoped to put in place a five percent reduction in all personnel's salaries.

At the Jan. 25 school board meeting Krueger said he was in negotiations with the teachers' union, and they had not yet come to an agreement for a salary reduction. In the meanwhile Krueger wanted the board to approve non-certified personnel's salaries to be reduced by five percent and administrators to take a voluntary five percent cut. But the board voted against that plan saying it was unfair to cut the little guy because it is easy, while the teachers salaries weren't being cut.

This Monday's school board meeting went differently. Administrators have all agreed to take a four percent cut said Krueger. The board voted to approve the 4 percent reduction beginning with the Feb. 19 say. The board also approved a memorandum agreement for early retirement incentive for teachers 55 and older. They also voted to reduce their own salary. Board members took a four percent reduction in pay. One member joked that their pay is so small it will make little difference, but another replied that every penny counts. The final cut approved by the board was for non-certified staff to take cuts. But this was not a four percent across the board cut.

Two plans were under considerations by the board. Plan 1 was for cuts to be made as need in salaries. Some cuts will be bigger than others. But the cuts are made on a job-by-job basis. The board agreed some job salaries can be cut more than others. Plan 2 was to cut four percent across the board for all non-certified staff. That plan was thrown out.

Krueger noted that while they are working on the budget cuts, which must come from the general fund, the school is losing over $80,000 per month.

In the meanwhile the teachers' union has not come to an agreement. Their salaries are the only ones not yet cut. "I believe we will come to an agreement soon," said Krueger after the meeting, "The teachers just aren't ready yet." Krueger said the teachers have been working diligently with him and he believes they may have an agreement by the next school board meeting, Feb. 22.