Declining enrollment and gaps in state funding are being blamed for budget cuts proposed for the Davenport Schools. This week, Superintendent Art Tate gave a preliminary list of nearly $5.5 million in cuts for the 2016-2017 school year.
Tate says the spending reductions are necessary to keep schools open and kids in class.
The proposed cuts include reducing department budgets and increasing class sizes, but Tate doesn't expect anyone will lose their job.
Tate is proposing further savings by cutting the number of short school days in favor of fewer, longer ones. The state requires Davenport Schools need to be in session for at least 1080 hours per year. If the school days are longer, Dr. Tate says the district could trim a week or two from its calendar.
