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Bracing for Cuts in Wilkes-Barre Area

WILKES-BARRE — There is concern among some parents in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District that the plan for $4 million in cuts could mean the eliminatio...
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WILKES-BARRE -- There is concern among some parents in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District that the plan for $4 million in cuts could mean the elimination of teachers and programs.

The school board is expected to reveal its plan for slashing that $4 million Monday night.

What programs will be available to students in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District moving forward is unclear, and many in the district, including parents, fear programs for these kids are about to be cut.

District administrators have said to expect $4 million in cuts.

"These kids nowadays, they need a way out. They have talents, they have God's gifts. You cutting these programs, it's putting them back on the streets," said Malik Jackson.

Jackson has a child at Heights Murray Elementary. He and other parents don't like hearing speculation the district may cut art and other special programs.

"That's how kids get their, what they want to be and what they love, and for me as a parent, I love when they go to art, bring it to me and say, 'mommy, look what I did!'" said parent Victoria Lopez.

District administrators haven't said yet what teachers could be furloughed or what programs could be cut, but the superintendent did tell us recently that everything was being examined.

"We're really examining the way we do business, and quite honestly, we would like to start next school year with a balanced budget, trying to address an $8 million deficit," said Wilkes-Barre Area Superintendent Bernard Prevuznak on April 12.

Newswatch 16 talked with the district's superintendent last month, the day after the school board approved what's called the "pathway to the future."

That pathway calls for $4 million in cuts this coming year, more than $2 million the next year and $4 million in 2019.

Now students and parents wait to see what those cuts will entail.

"You can at least budget them better, but as far as cutting them, don't do that!" added Jackson.

The Wilkes-Barre Area School Board meets Monday at 7 p.m. at GAR High School.

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