Fulton school board approves $1.2 million in cuts

FULTON, Mo. (AP) -- The Fulton School Board has approved $1.2 million in budget cuts that includes closing the district's alternative school and eliminating ninth-grade sports.

The board approved the cuts Wednesday night after hearing from several students, parents and patrons. The most contentious item was dropping the alternative program, which would save the district about $253,844 next year.

Supporters said the alternative school had helped many students graduate who would not have completed school in a regular setting. They said the district would see an increase in dropouts if the program closed.

But board members noted before the vote that administrators had estimated that keeping the alternative program open would cost the district at least five teachers.