It’s the middle of summer break but the head of the Millard Public School district is worried about the financial situation there.
The district faces a nearly $6 million-dollar deficit for the next school year and the Superintendent Jim Sutfin is sending out warning signals to parents.
Over the past half-decade Sutfin already cut 40 teaching and three administrative positions and he’ll have to cut more to balance the budget.
This leaves parents in the district concerned about their beloved schools, “At this point, anything that's cut is a great thing that they are cutting,” said Millard West High School parent Penny Sander who also substitutes twice a week in the district, “We're really glad that our daughter only has two years of public schools because it makes me nervous about what's going on”.
School district across the state are finding themselves in this position because of a lack of state-aid and no tax increased for a while. Earlier this year the state faced a nearly billion dollar deficit and lawmakers this session didn’t add more money to aid public schools.
The news especially hits home for parents with young children like Jayme Massman has 4 boys aged 5 years or less.
“I went to Millard, and we always thought we would do Millard schools,” said Massman.
However right now her first born is not going to Millard for kindergarten, he's going to a private school in the area instead, “It seemed like a better option for us.”
Sutfin also said in his letter they are at a point where they have to decide what they value most. He said public education is worth the investment.
He will announce his cuts in August or September.
