The Springfield School Board has voted to cut $5.4 million from next year's District 186 budget, including the closure of two North End elementary schools and the reduction of dozens of teaching positions. But the board did reject nearly $1 million in additional cuts, including middle school teaching positions and elementary school librarians. A divided board also voted to preserve funding for post-secondary coaches, who counsel students on college options, and to retain the Illinois Math and Science Academy after-school program.
[As of 9:30pm, the board was still considering a separate list of proposed cuts put forward by a citizens committee, including the possible closure of the Capital College Preparatory Academy.]
