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Principal tells Fayette board cuts would force loss of therapists, electives and AP offerings
Summary
A high‑school principal warned the board that proposed staffing reductions, combined with an expiring grant, will remove a therapist and social worker and force cuts to electives, AP and dual‑credit offerings at her school, which she says is growing in enrollment to about 1,075 students.
Miss Hayes, a principal who identified herself during public comment, told the board she attended to speak for students as her school faces proposed staffing reductions. She said her building’s enrollment is holding steady or growing (projected near 1,075) even as the district faces declining enrollment overall, and she described how staff reductions and an expiring grant will remove counseling supports.
"We're already facing something out of your control, which is an expiring grant, which is going to remove my therapist and my social worker from my building," Hayes said, urging the board to consider impacts to students’ social‑emotional supports. She said losing those positions and reducing instructional staff would force her to remove elective courses, advanced placement offerings and some dual‑credit classes.
Hayes framed her comments around student need and scheduling constraints: since position reductions affect course staffing, she said students’ course requests and access to advanced programming are at risk. The principal also noted the school’s socioeconomically diverse student body and the importance of social workers and therapists in supporting that population.
The board did not make immediate changes during public comment; personnel items were later approved as part of the regular agenda. Board members acknowledged retirements and said the district will hold a retirement recognition later this year.
