KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

Hays USD 489 is notifying teachers and staff district-wide they might not have a job for the 2014-15 school year.

According to Superintendent Dean Katt, the notices are not official until the USD 489 Board of Education adopts a resolution.

Katt said the possible cuts are “obviously a difficult situation,” and staff still is looking at openings due to resignations that could allow some of possible cuts to be shifted into other areas.

“Its is always an emotional thing for everyone we are talking to,” said Katt, “but we have to balance the budget.”

The district is searching for ways to climb out of an estimated $1.3 million budget hole, with proposals on the table ranging from increases to the local option budget to elimination of all-day kindergarten to changes in the district’s transportation policy.

Katt said the resolution to adopt potential staff cuts will be an agenda item for the April 21 school board meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Rockwell Administration Center.

Kim Schneweis, president of the Hays-NEA teachers union, declined comment, noting the organization could release a statement on the staffing changes in the future.