The Taylorville Community School District #3 Board members expressed their views on the FY17 Budget cut considerations. Board members stressed the potential loss of jobs, and cutting athletics programs. They also asked those in attendance to contact their State Representative and State Senator within their district about this issue, and to ask the community for support.

Several attendees provided suggestions and ideas of how to improve the financial situation, save the athletic programs, and avoid consolidation. Resident Stan Pratt suggested that school superintendents, board members, and supporters go to Springfield and do a rally.

Board member Dennis Atteberry agreed and liked Pratt’s idea. Taylorville High School senior Derek Lahey said his concern was sports, and if junior high and freshman athletics were cut, it makes JV and varsity athletics almost pointless

Board member Jim Andruch responded by saying they would save $110,000 if they cut the junior high and freshman sports, while $120,000 would be saved if they cut JV and varsity programs. He noted they didn’t want to shut everything down at once, but if no turnaround occurs, the rest of sports could get cut. He agreed with Lahey on the importance of the fundamentals and grassroots of sports.