School Board Continues Grappling With Budget

Although no final decisión on cuts in the proposed 1970 budget was made last night, the Board of Education was told to take firm action and to eonsider the priorities of individuals and the community. W. Scott Westerman Jr., Superintendent of schools, continued, "I haven't heard the trustees address themselves to the direct institution of educational programs." During the continued discussjon on necessary budget alterations, Westerman presented a revised proposal for the possible deletions or reductions, which did not vary much from the first one presented last week. The major change was in the elementary physical education program from a reduction of $49,500 to a $71,500 reduction. final action on the budget is e.xpected next week. "The citizens of Ann Arbor must realize that any reduction in the education budget will mean a reduction in the quality of education for their childien," Board President Harold Lockett said. "We will not have anything more than an inferior piogram regardless of what the taxpayers may think." According to suggestions by elementary school principáis, relay ed to the board by Westerman, there should be a half-day program for a selected grade instead of over-all program cuts. Senior high school principáis also suggested that instead of a reduction in the number of chss periods they would prefer an. increase in class size, but tbis is negotiable with the I teachers unión. I "The secondary school deserves the greatest reduction," said Westerman, "Because we feel that elementary education is the most ircportant as a foundation, but it is hard to make a cut anyplace." He also said that the budget proposal did not represent the priorities of any selecteü area or group. Proposed reductions in the elementary school program totaled $360,500. Cost at the junior and senior high level totaled $710,000. Under general services, which includes maintenance, the total proposed i reduction is $636,500. Community services would be reduced by $43,000, which will cause the deletion of a proposed Environmental Interpretive Center along with a five per cent reduction in the total budget of the Public Library, recreation and continuing education. estimated personnel reduction for all áreas will be 135,5 (87.5 certified and 48 operational) under the proposal. The proposal drew criticism from Trustee Theodore Heusel who said, "I can't give approval to the proposed cut in the athletic and intramural program." Trustee Cecil Warner requested specific information on all areas, programs and personnel to review over the coming year. He feit that the millage defeat had compelled the board to take a good hard look at the entire educational system. "This may be a good opportunity for the board and the administration to examine critically, and to define more sharply the real values and priorities for elementary and secondary education," said Trustee Joseph T. A. Lee.