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Board preserves pre-K amid debate over class sizes and potential teacher cuts
Summary
After lengthy debate over class size, enrollment and marketing of small classes, the Lake Park Audubon board voted to remove the pre-K position from the staff-reduction list and deferred decisions on two elementary classroom cuts pending updated registration figures.
The Lake Park Audubon School Board, facing pressure to reduce staffing costs, voted to retain the district’s pre-kindergarten teacher position for now, after trustees warned that losing early-childhood capacity could drive families to neighboring districts.
Board member Cole urged the board to keep class sizes under 20 and suggested removing two elementary teachers from the list of proposed cuts and preserving the pre-K instructor. “I would like to see two less elementary teachers on this list and our pre-K position staying on there,” he said during the discussion. Several board members responded that pre-K registration (15 students after eight days) and the district’s marketing advantage — smaller class sizes — justified keeping the position open while enrollment continues to be monitored.
Opponents of delaying cuts argued the district faces compounding fiscal pressure and that postponing reductions this year could force larger reductions next year. One trustee said, “If we don't make these cuts this year we're going to have to make the cuts next year,” framing the choice as a trade-off between current student experience and long-term fiscal stability.
After discussion the board held a roll-call vote and approved a motion to retain the pre-K position pending further enrollment updates; the motion passed 6–1. Administrators were directed to monitor registration weekly and report back to the board in April.
Trustees emphasized the decision is not final: if registrations do not increase, the board indicated it will reconsider staffing during the spring and summer. The board left two elementary positions on the proposed reduction list for further deliberation.
