GALESBURG, Illinois - A second round of difficult cuts may be headed for the Galesburg school district. Last month the board voted to lay off almost 50 full-time and part-time staff, now athletic programs found out who may be let go before the next season starts.
It's part of the district's plan to trim $3.2 million from next year's budget. Monday night, March 28, 2016 the school board approved to lay off seven coaches and one teacher, now making the total number of teachers laid off 17. Some of the sports with coaches cut include, high school wrestling, 7th, 8th and high school football, track and junior boys soccer.
"We had conversations with our athletic director, he had conversations with our with our districts coaches and they came back to a list of recommendations," said Superintendent Ralph Grimm.
Nearly 60 percent of Illinois school districts are expected to be deficit spending during fiscal year 2016 and the Galesburg School District is one of them.
At their next board meeting, the school board will have to vote on more athletic cuts, but regarding non-personnel matters. If the board votes to approve all the recommendations made, they're looking at $54,000 in savings.