TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — As the Vigo County School Corporation looks at ways to balance its budget, officials are leading a serious of community meetings to brainstorm ideas for possible budget cuts and revenue enhancements.
Previously, the school corporation announced that at least $4 million of cuts will be necessary to keep an appropriate cash balance.
The meetings began Sept. 10 and will continue through Oct. 17.
Officials have recorded each idea delivered by community members in the meetings.
So far, budget cut suggestions have included:
- Redistricting/consolidating schools
- Combining bus routes to maximize bus riders
- Reducing paper costs/using technology
- Staggering start times for secondary/elementary (transportation)
- Implementing a four-day school week
- Reevaluating administrative positions and combining responsibilities
- Offering retirement incentives for staff
- Implementing virtual snow days/eLearning days
- Altering bus replacement plan/maintaining vehicles so they last longer
- Hiring fewer contractors and moving mechanical work “in house”
Possible revenue enhancements included:
- Obtaining business partners/sponsorships
- Absorbing Covered Bridge into Vigo County School Corporation
- Offering for-profit preschool programming
- Renting facilities to community organizations for one/two-day events
- Leasing empty space and equipment to community organizations
- Converting unused space to residences for an international exchange program
- Expanding virtual school offerings beyond Vigo County and/or 9-12 grade
- Using solar/geothermal heat in buildings
A full list of suggestions provided by the community is available at
vigoschools.org
.
