North Idaho schools bracing for cuts

Administrators in Post Falls and Lakeland school districts say they hoping to make ends meet by pinching pennies before cutting teachers. But that strategy could mean salary freezes for teachers in Post Falls and the Lakeland school districts. School officials say state budget cuts will force Post Falls to trim about $491,000 from next year’s budget, and about $650,000 for Lakeland schools. Post Falls Superintendent Jerry Keane says the budget picture is better now than three months ago, thanks to federal stimulus cash. Keane says some cuts are inevitable, but will not be drastic. Tom Taggart, director of finance for Lakeland schools, says staff is poised to take a pay cut to avoid massive layoffs. The district is also considering shaving the textbook budget by $250,000 and supplies by $40,000.