To prepare for the possibility of making hundreds of thousands of dollars in cuts, the Coupeville School District is holding a series of public meetings next month to collect residents’ opinions.

School officials announced during Monday’s school board meeting that between $350,000 and $375,000 will likely have to be trimmed.

“We have to have that as our main target and be prepared to go deeper than that,” Superintendent Patty Page told the board. She added that, if the state budget deficit keeps growing, needed cuts could approach $500,000.

The 2008-2009 budget for the Coupeville School District currently stands at $10.6 million.

The first meeting takes place during the Monday, March 9 “Community Cafe,” which begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Coupeville High School Commons. In addition to a discussion on the budget, folks will have a chance to comment on academic support, communication, transportation and facility use fees.

Page will hold a “Meet the Superintendent” event Friday, March 20, at the Coupeville Elementary School Conference Room with meetings at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. There is also a budget meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, however, a time and location haven’t been determined.

“We’re trying to get the word out there and get feedback,” Page said.

Page said the goal of the cuts will be to minimize effects on class size along with staffing levels.

Contact Whidbey News Times Staff reporter Nathan Whalen at nwhalen@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360-675-6611 ext. 5058.

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