Libby schools trim 10 teaching positions

LIBBY, Mont. -The Libby School Board reluctantly voted Monday to cut the district's faculty by about 10 teachers in an effort to close a projected $405,000 shortfall in the 2010-11 budget.

"There was nobody on that list that we wanted to get rid of," said trustee Lee Disney. "It's sad that we have to do these things."

More cuts could be on the horizon, Libby Superintendent Kirby Maki said. The board will discuss other district employees, such as custodial, maintenance, food service, and para-professional staff, at next month's meeting.

"Whether we make cuts or not, I don't know yet," Maki said, "but we have talked about that potential."

The contracts of three full-time elementary teachers were not renewed at Monday's meeting, and the equivalent of 1 1/2 elementary interventionist positions, which help students who struggle in reading and math, were cut.

One middle school teacher will be shifted to the elementary school and a part-time interventionist position at the middle school will be eliminated.