The Eden Valley-Watkins School Board approved $111,000 in cuts last week in anticipation of a 2008-09 budget shortfall.

Superintendent Larry Peterson said March 25 the board made the cuts through attrition, a restructure of the district’s music program and not filling open positions.

The board will fill two elementary retirements with younger teachers and not fill a paraprofessional position. High school industrial technology teacher Tim Rice requested a one-year leave of absence, which also will go unfilled, Peterson said.

Restructuring the music program will not result in loss of class time for students.

While the board was not happy about the cuts, it was pleased to maintain current programming, Peterson said. “They also felt that it was a lot better than a lot of other districts,” he said.