Highland School Board met February 12. Photo by Sam McIntosh.

The Highland School District is discussing ways to save $250,000 in their general fund.

Last fall Highland saw an enrollment decrease of 26 students. Superintendent Dr. Mike Jorgensen presented a list of budget reduction strategies at the recent board meeting that total $267,458 in savings, “My hope is that some of this will happen through attrition, some of it like the Ainsworth savings that’s already in place. Also we’re changing our operational sharing agreements from being buyers to sellers which has double benefits in that, as well.”

As Highland is ending sharing agreements with other districts, including Mid-Prairie and Washington, and will be sharing services with Lone Tree they expect savings of $27,428 in transportation, $24,530 in maintenance savings, and $18,000 for human resources. Other savings strategies include the elimination of a first grade teacher position and the possible elimination of a secondary teacher position. No action was taken on the strategies at this time.