Glendale-River Hills school board makes $1 million in staffing cuts for next year as district grapples with budget deficit

GLENDALE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- On Wednesday, March 20, the Glendale-River Hills School Board voted to cut staffing by $1 million for the 2024-2025 school year as the district tries to climb out of a multi-million-dollar budget deficit.

Earlier this year, the district identified a budget shortfall of at least $3.5 million, saying it was the result of accounting and budgeting errors.

Wednesday night's meeting got quite emotional. The board president choked up as she explained her frustration with the budget situation and her desire to be transparent with the community.

But that still didn't land with many community members who are still angry. Many lined up to share their frustration.

Board President Danielle Bailey said, "I'm asking you to have confidence in us. And that it can be verified in the record. Go back through the record, look at what we're doing, our candor, look at how hard we're trying. Look the effort we're putting in."

The $1 million in staffing cuts approved Wednesday will come through attrition, resignations, and retirements. It will not impact the current school year.

But the road ahead is long.

Glendale resident Aaron Norris told the board, "Climbing out of that is going to take years."

In recent weeks there have been calls for board members to resign, but some of them say quitting will not help.

Board Vice President Carla Pennington Cross said, "My accountability is to stand here and try and fix this. And to take the hits."

But transparency is still a concern for some, like Bruce Brocker, who said, "We need clarity on what our board is doing and we haven't been getting it."

Jan Zall said, "We teach our children accountability. Right now, I don't think that's happening. We're bad teachers."

But the board insists they are being as transparent as possible, and there were plenty of supporters, in person and online.

Ashley Robertson commented, "The board has been more than accountable in this situation. They asked for help, they got people involved who are very experienced in these situations."

As the budget discussions continue, board members pledged to be as open as possible.

Board Member Andrew Franklin said, "I'm going to say 'Don't trust us.' Give us an opportunity to show you what we are doing."