Kaneland chess club, some assistant sports coaches could go

School administrators this week showed exactly what sports and clubs at Kaneland High School could be eliminated in budget cuts being suggested.

The school board and administrators are working on ways to avoid a projected $2.6 million deficit for budget year 2010-11, which begins July 1.

Administrators have recommended eliminating the GSA, a volunteer-service club; Global Cultures; Model United Nations; Speech; This Is No Act theater club; intramural sports; Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering; Kolla Voice; and chess.

Several clubs would have fewer supervisors: Mathletes, Partners in International Education, Foreign Language, and the football and basketball pompons squads.

All sports would stay, but football, baseball, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, boys and girls track, volleyball and cheerleading would each lose an assistant coach.

The board did not vote on the matter, and has asked for alternatives that might free up money to restore the suggested reductions.

The cuts will be discussed at a community forum Feb. 8 before the regular school board meeting, and at the Feb. 22 board meeting. Voting is scheduled for March 8.

The budget has to be approved by Sept. 30. But if the district plans to lay off any teachers, it is required to give notice at least 60 days before the end of the school year.

The plan so far calls for eliminating the full-time equivalents of 10.6 certified workers, 9.5 noncertified workers and two administrative positions.