Pinecrest Teaching Positions Eliminated

Twain Harte, CA — The Twain Harte-Long Barn School District Board of Directors voted Wednesday to eliminate the remaining two teaching positions at Pinecrest School. The board will also reconsider a decision they made in December to keep the school open, in light of new budget concerns. At December’s meeting they voted to keep the school open and reduce the teaching staff from three to two.

By eliminating the two teaching positions Twain Harte Long Barn School Superintendent, Dr. John Keiter says, “That gives the board the flexibility to close the school, reduce the staff at the school or leave the school alone.”

Dr. Keiter says new budget information has forced the board to consider more drastic budget cuts. Governor Brown’s newest budget proposal will cut the district’s transportation budget by approximately $200,000 in the 2013- 2014 school year. Federal money from the Secure Rural Schools Act could be cut by five percent for next year and the district also heard from Tuolumne County Tax Assessor, Ken Caetano, to expect continued declines in property taxes.

The board’s next meeting is March 21st.