INDEPENDENCE - The junior kindergarten program was among a number of items that got the knife this week after the school board approved another round of budget cuts.

The district is running a budget shortfall of roughly $207,400 next year. The baker's dozen approved by board members Monday night should save $127,275, according to school officials. The rest will be covered by the unspent budget and a hike in technology fees.

The junior kindergarten instructor and an associate, which constitute total a savings of $22,482, were among several staff positions cut in the proposal. A band coach, three associates and a half-time Title One position were also on block.

"Many people spoke about these program and I appreciate their passion," wrote Superintendent Devin Embray in a memo to board members. "None of this has been easy and it is my hope that we can still move forward within our district."

Parents also objected to the AFS program, which oversees foreign exchange students, being on the list. At a forum earlier this month, many said the exchange program was simple way to get Iowa students acquainted with counterparts from other nations.

Embray said at a previous hearing that the cut doesn't mean the end of foreign exchange students at Independence. Other programs could be substituted for AFS, he added.

The staff cuts for the junior kindergarten program also doesn't spell the end of early childhood education, Board President Dawnye Sturtz said.

A new wing on West Elementary opened last year with room to house the early childhood and special education programs. Uses for that wing will stay the same, Sturtz said.

The board is also applying for a grant for a preschool program aimed at 4-year-olds. If the school gets the grant, Sturtz said, children who have been recommended for junior kindergarten will be in this new program.

Nine children were enrolled in the program this year, along with four other preschool or special education students, Sturtz said. If the school doesn't get the grant, parents will have the option of either enrolling students in another year of preschool or starting kindergarten a year early.

"We typically have parents every year that decide to enter their child in Kindergarten even when junior kindergarten is recommended, and we have some preliminary data that indicates these children are still academically successful," Sturtz said.

The board itself wasn't immune from cuts. Among the items was $4,000 intended to pay for an array of services, including fees for audits, accounting, legal services and expenses related training and conventions.

Contact Josh Nelson at (319) 291-1565 or josh.nelson@wcfcourier.com.