Charleston Board members had tough decisions to make at Wednesday’s monthly meeting. Board members have been discussing ways to close a $2 million budget gap for months. One topic that was up for discussion was consolidating Ashmore’s 4th grade class with Jefferson Elementary’s 4th grade class. The board decided against that and voted to open enrollment at Ashmore. The purpose of open enrollment is to even out the classroom sizes so teachers can have more one on one time with their students. Officials have also talked about changing the district’s boundaries that way more students are eligible to attend Ashmore. Ashmore was not the only topic discussed but it was one of the hardest. “This has been the most difficult, most stressful board meeting that I have ever put a packet together for, or participated in because of the high emotions in particular with the Ashmore School†said Charleston Superintendent Jim Littleford. Also at the meeting board members voted to eliminate nearly a dozen staff positions and extra-curricular transportation. Officials say cutting transportation will save the district more than 80-thousand dollars.
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