The Big Oak Flat–Groveland Unified School District board and the audience discussed and debated on several ways to reduce the district expenses for the 2010/2011 school year during a special meeting February 24.

Interim Superintendent Mike King said without major cuts, the budget could exceed $700,000 in negative spending.

Mr. King presented the board with an extensive list of areas to be considered for reductions when they formulate a budget for the upcoming school year.

Foremost on his list would be the closing of Don Pedro High School, which, according to King, would result in a cost savings of around $300,000.

Other proposed reductions would include $165,000 in administrative costs by consolidating positions and reducing principals’ work year by 10 days. Another proposed reduction would include a $250,000 in certificated salaries by laying off up to four teachers, as the district, according to King, is presently overstaffed.

The superintendent also proposed to cut transportation costs by $50,000 and to charge students on a per-day basis, $54,000 in reduced custodial services by cleaning classrooms every other day, $21,000 in athletics, $20,000 to $40,000 in stipend reductions and $20,000 to $30,000 in instructional aide reductions and yard duty aides.

The board will consider King’s suggestions in a future meeting with the likelihood that any reductions will be met with vocal opposition, particularly as they relate to layoffs, administrative reorganizations and salary/stipend reductions.

In other board business, trustees voted to hire a consulting firm to assist in the recruitment of a new superintendent for the district.

The initial cost for the search will be $12,000 but could run considerably more, depending on the length of the search, the number of candidates and other to-be-determined factors.

King, who is the former Sonora High School superintendent, has been serving as the interim superintendent since the board relieved former Superintendent Mari Brabbin of her duties, but King has informed the board that he does not wish to serve beyond June.

Trustee Gloria Marler voted against the hiring of the consulting firm and argued the position should be filled in-house with a present district employee.

Although the exact scope of the new position is still to be determined by the board, it likely will be a combination superintendent/principal at either Tenaya Elementary School or Tioga High School since, according to King, the district can no longer afford a full-time superintendent.

In a related matter, a judge held over until May the district’s request to make permanent the temporary restraining order against Trustee Mike Malloy on behalf of Lisa Rico, who is the former district business manager, and interim Superintendent King.