Various documents were distributed...complete with bar graphs showing various financial projections. Possible money-saving scenarios were discussed, including the closing of Bennett Elementary and the Central Office, the possible purchase of relocatable buildings to house the over-flow, and the RIFing of personnel.

Below is the handout that lists the possible RIFs...

With respect to teachers...

Superintendent Swopes was asked if the plan to RIF (7) teachers had taken into consideration that several teachers had already turned in resignations effective at the end of this school year. (Retirements allow the District to solve its financial problems in an employee-friendly manner through "attrition" - the voluntary loss of faculty - rather than with an ax.)

Superintendent Swopes responded that the proposed plan to RIF did NOT take resignations into consideration...meaning that "in the end" seven (7) teachers might NOT have to be fired.

Reports from those who attended the meeting indicate that the various scenarios for solving the District's alleged financial problems raised many questions...but provided few, if any, answers.

For example, buying relocatable buildings and/or remodeling remaining structures to house students left "homeless" by closing two existing buildings might prove more expensive. Last year, when the BOE was lamenting the operating cost of the CCEC, the figure cited was approximately $60,000. Has anybody checked into what $60,000 will purchase at today's prices...

More meetings are to be held.

Superintendent Swopes is supposed to make a report to the Cairo Board of Education and the Cairo Financial Oversight Panel at their respective October meetings.

So, DO NOT PANIC!

Stay tuned...