School board members forfeit yearly earnings to help save money

It may not be much, but when you're facing a potential 300-thousand-dollar loss, a little can go a long way.

Brett Johnson: “We're asking the staff to do more with less, so we as a board better step up and do the same.”

Breckenridge School Board members voted this week to forfeit their yearly earnings in attempt to help save money. The forfeiture will result in the district saving roughly 14-thousand dollars.

Neil Kusler: “That's 100-percent volunteer so you definitely know they're not in it for the money.”

Johnson says six of the seven board members all graduated from Breckenridge Schools and therefore feels a close connection to ensure the district succeeds

Johnson: “We got positive momentum going in Breckenridge and if we can help out by the board not taking payment for the year than we'll go ahead and do that.”

Two years ago Breckenridge lost 47 students, this year they lost 10. Next year they're projected to lose 37 more. A decrease Kusler says is putting drastic strains on the budget.

Kusler: “Anything helps; we're looking at this budget and looking at spot that we can make adjustments in, what's going to have the least amount of impact on the students.”

Board member Tom Rittenhouse was the only dissenting opinion. However, he refused to comment on camera. The amount of money Breckenridge schools receives from the state depends on how many students enrolled.

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