What to cut? The White Mountains Regional School Board grappled with that question

WHITEFIELD — What to cut? The White Mountains Regional School Board grappled with that question on Thursday. The five-town school district’s proposed $24.85 million budget failed on March 12, 605-655, and now WMRSD must slash $230,000 in anticipated spending under the $24.6 million default budget. That may require layoffs. School Board member Herb Randall of Lancaster said that, after WMRSD’s second straight budget defeat in two years, it was time for the district to have hard conversations about staffing levels. School Board member Ben Jellison of Carroll felt the same way. Jellison asked that WMRSD administration provide recommendations in the event staff cuts are deemed necessary. During the discussion, school board members offered informal recommendations to the district leadership team on where to make staff cuts if needed.  Initial recommendations centered on the PreK program and the school resource officer positions.