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Ambridge Considers Cutting Junior High Sports

By Ralph Iannotti

AMBRIDGE (KDKA) -- The Ambridge Area School District in Beaver County is considering dropping sports programs in junior high school because of proposed cuts in state aide to education.

The cuts would leave a $1.8 million gap between district expenditures and projected revenues for the coming school year.

No final vote on the new budget will be taken until late next month.

"The reality is, something has to change because we can't do business as usual," Kevin Blanarik, a school board member, said at a special meeting Wednesday night.

Ambridge School Superintendent Dr. Erv Weischdel said eliminating junior high school sports would save the district an estimated $63,000. Other options under consideration include a wage freeze, program cuts and not replacing 37 teachers who are retiring.

Dr. Weischdel said a seven mill increase would be needed to make up the shortfall in state funding. However, he added that other Beaver County school districts are faring worse under Governor Tom Corbett's proposed cuts.

He said to make up for state funding, Midland would require a 25 mill boost, the Big Beaver Falls District would need 17 more mills to make up the loss and Rochester would need 16 more mills to recover.

RELATED LINKS
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Ambridge Area School District
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