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HAMILTON COUNTY

Hamilton Southeastern cuts benefits, adds fees to close deficit

Brian Eason
JacksonMS

FISHERS — The Hamilton Southeastern School Board has signed off on a package of budget cuts that guts teacher health benefits and tacks on new fees for students but largely avoids layoffs.

Monday morning’s unanimous vote will save the district $2.8 million the next fiscal year to help close a $5 million budget gap projected over the next two years.

In an interview afterward, Superintendent Brian Smith again called for the state to revisit how schools are funded.

“We cut over $13 million over the last five years, and now we’re getting down to the bone,” Smith said. “It’ll be nice if we ever have a year where we don’t have to make budget cuts.”

This round was designed to spread the pain among teachers and parents alike.

For employees, the biggest hit will come to health benefits, which would be altered to save $1.5 million. The plan also cuts several vacant positions, reduces the school supply budget by $350,000 and lowers administrative expenses.

The proposal was created with input and buy-in from the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association, whose president, Janet Chandler, endorsed the plan as a way to preserve teachers’ jobs, while lamenting the benefit cuts.

Health plan changes would double deductibles and increase prescription copays and maximum out-of-pocket expenses. The only layoff is of a part-time treasurer at the high school.

Parents also will be asked to contribute, mostly through “pay-to-participate” fees for extracurricular activities that officials hope can raise $384,615.

Exact fees will depend on how many activities a child participates in and whether a student qualifies for financial assistance. The proposal would charge $225 for the first high school sport, $100 for junior high sports and $25 for nonathletic activities, likely with diminishing fees for children who participate in multiple sports.

The district also hopes to raise $20,000 by charging grads about $20 for a diploma and diploma cover.

Before the vote, Fishers Town Councilman Stuart Easley proposed that the town buy land from HSE to offset the need for another round of cuts in the next budget year.

Smith said school officials are receptive to the idea. The Town Council will hear the proposal next week, Easley said.

Call Star reporter Brian Eason at (317) 444-6129. Follow him on Twitter: @brianeason.