Grand Island Public Schools eliminates one position as part of budget cut

GRAND ISLAND, Neb.-- Grand Island Public Schools is taking action in its process of reducing staff due to budget cuts.

The district originally expected to need to reduce 30 or more staff positions as part of a plan to cut $5 million from its budget. At Thursday's board of education meeting, the board cut just one social worker position.

According to Superintendent Matt Fisher, this was thanks to the process of natural attrition, people retiring or moving to other jobs. He says the district is still working to put two employees into different positions.

“We’re very excited about being down to the point where we’ve almost found a role for everyone, that’s gonna be displaced through this reduction process," said Fisher. "Certainly we understand the pain that goes along with not having a position for the three. We’re hopeful that they’re gonna find either something within the district maybe at a later date as more resignations take place or something outside of the district."

He says they’ll continue with the staffing process. The district is cutting in other areas, including looking to reduce the number of bus routes it offers. The Academies and Pathways model has already cut some of its programs back to help address the budget issue.