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Reduction of Superintedent's salary part of $1.6 million in MPS budget cuts

In a unanimous vote Tuesday evening, The Muskegon Board of Education approved over 1.6 million in total budget cuts for the next school year in order to balance its budget. Among the budget cuts is the elimination of a handful of school staff, including four high school teachers and two middle school teachers.

Cindy Larson is the president of the Muskegon Board of Education. She says the cuts will ultimately be a benefit to the students.

“We’re going to (cut staff) in order to provide programs," Larson said. "But nothing will be taken away from your kids.”

This past February, the Board gave Muskegon Public Schools Superintendent Justin Jennings a job rating of “minimally effective.” As part of the budget cuts, Jennings annual salary will be reduced by 7 percent. Larson insists however, that there is no correlation between his performance and the salary reduction.

“What we have put together is a plan of assistance with Justin in order to move forward, because we want to build our student population and make things better for the district, Larson said.”

The board must have a budget set by June 30th. They have one more public meeting before then.