St. Paul schools wrestle with budget cuts

by Perry Finelli, Minnesota Public Radio

In St. Paul, the school board is preparing to make difficult choices. St. Paul schools are facing a projected $12 million budget shortfall for the 2004-05 school year. Earlier this week, Superintendent Pat Harvey presented the board with three packages of possible cuts. Some of the options include turning Wilson Junior High into an alternative program, changing the district's transportation services, and reducing its budget for the English Language Learner program. Morning Edition substitute host Perry Finelli spoke with Toni Carter, chair of the St. Paul school board.