By Eileen Buckley
Tonawanda, NY – Parents in the Kenmore-Tonawanda School District concerned about the future of a program for gifted and talented students attended a special school board meeting Tuesday night.
The parents say they're concerned about school budget cuts that would eliminate a teaching position for the "CLASS" program. Once a week, about 185 students meet for this program that is exclusive to the Ken-Ton district. Parent MaryBeth Thomas says the school board is forced to re-examine spending due to possible state funding cuts.
"They also, from what I understand, have a strong desire to keep expected tax increase somewhere below three percent, which they believe the public will accept," Thomas said.
The "CLASS" program includes critical thinking, math/computers and language arts. Thomas says the Ken-Ton school board is considering cutting a language arts teacher.
"And unfortunately this cut would force the program to eliminate the language arts section and/or incorporate it into the other two sections," she explained.
Thomas says a position in the program was cut last year. She says parents fear another staff reduction for the next school year could eliminate the program.
The Ken-Ton school board is expected to vote on a final budget April 8th.