Saving money because an elementary principal resigned and cutting school administrative travel by 30 percent were two major decisions the Churchill County School Board made in trying to save $2.4 million from its budget.

Trustee Ron Evans proposed cutting the amount the district pays for travel from $36,000 to $25,000. The school board's traveling was also reduced from $10,000 a year to $7,000.

"We can live within those means," said Superintendent Carolyn Ross.

Lynn Detomasi, director of business services for the district, recommended the board revisit the decision not to charge students to participate in sports. She said everyone else is being affected.

Board President Greg Koenig disagreed, saying athletes are students too, and it would be unfair for them to be affected twice by the budget restraints.

Evans said the funds the athletic program is being given is a small number when looking at the entire picture such as gate receipts.

"We are not overspending on sports here at all," said Trustee Paul Hinz, mentioning other districts pay more.

Ross informed the board a principal had just announced his intention to resign, and Northside Elementary Principal John Hyatt said the vacancy being discussed was his position.

Hinz wanted to know if the principal position was going to remain unfilled.

"We will look at it to see what is in the best interests of students and staff," Ross said.

Hyatt is earning almost $117,000 a year. The board also decided not to fill a high school teaching position, two instructional assistants and an elementary band teacher for a combined savings of $127,500.

Cuts from the district office included a reassigned secretary position not being filled, no funding for a teacher on special assignment since it is now grant funded, not replacing a secretary who is retiring and restructuring the business office by combining two positions for a total savings of $286,000.

"We are headed in the right direction," said Trustee Tom Riggins, and board member Richard Gent agreed.

"They wanted to see us (take) a giant step, and I think we have done that," he said.

The school board also tabled using its contingency fund for math proficiency tutors and computers after being told many times by the administration it did not know, it was possible or it might be when talking about the exact cost.

Moments after coming up with the last-minute budget cuts, trustees were asked to use $200,000 of its contingency fund for these purchases.

Nona McFarland, a former school district employee, said the board needs to be careful so it is not placed in the same budget situation in the future.

"We can't afford to take action on an I don't know, maybe or a possible," she said.

Churchill County Education Association President Margie Villanueva said going into the contingency fund immediately after making $2.4 million in cuts is fiscally irresponsible.

The administration could not give the board the amount it will receive from impact aid to purchase and or repair computers.

Evans said he is not going to support anything if he does not know the exact amount.

"That is getting unacceptable to me," he said.

Hinz agreed.

"We just cut $2.4 million, and now you want to spend $200,000. It doesn't make sense to me," he said.

The school board tabled the item so it could receive more data from the administration.