NORTH MANCHESTER -ÊManchester Schools superintendent Diana Showalter gave the board and attendees at Tuesday night's meeting a "cursory review" of the corporation's 2004-05 cost reduction plan.

The plan will cut $400,000 from the school's $9 million budget and will "eliminate nearly everything but the basic positions and programs," Showalter said.

Which programs and teachers will be eliminated was not announced, as Showalter and school administrators wish to personally announce lay-offs and program cuts to each individual affected.

To determine what areas can be cut back, school administrators met with educators from each building and took suggestions. They also heard recommendations from the community and school staffs.

Cost-saving measures that had the least impact on students' education process were the ones chosen.

"Ramifications of every potential change was discussed ... the impact of the proposed change on the educational process and program for students was the overridng concern for administrators," Showalter said.

The cuts will be explained in more detail at the board's March 16 meeting and priorities will be established.

In other business:

• The board approved a small increase in student meal prices. Meal prices have not been increased in five years.

The school's meal program has become self-sufficient and no longer relies on money from the corporations' general operating fund. To remain solvent, a 10-cent per meal and 5-cent per extra milk increase was approved.

The increase is expected to raise about $6,000 per year and will help pay for equipment repairs and replacement.

At the elementary schools, lunches will cost $1.70, up from $1.60. Breakfasts will cost $1.20, and extra milk will be 30 cents.

At the junior high and high school, a lunch will be $1.80 and extra milk will be 30 cents. Breakfast is available at the junior high only, and will cost $1.35.

Between June and December, $37,000 was spent on repair and replacement.

• The board accepted the donation of a photovoltaic system from Cinergy electric company. The system consists of 12 solar panels that will be fixed to the high school roof. A computer will be attached to the panels, measuring energy output and atmospheric conditions.

The information collected can be used in classes in all Manchester Community Schools.

Manchester school board members are Sally Krouse, president, Todd Speicher, Thom Frantz, Kent Terrill, Larry Miller, Carlye McLaughlin and Brad Perrot. Superintendent is Diane Showalter. [[In-content Ad]]