Budget cuts and a lack of funding continue to hurt localschools, and the Brookhaven School District has been forced toeliminate six teaching positions in order to make ends meet.

The move by the BSD mirrors action taken by the Lincoln CountySchool District last week. Lincoln County is reducing its teachingstaff by eight.

The Brookhaven board’s decision was made during a recessedmeeting Tuesday night, which was held in executive session.

Superintendent Dr. Sam Bounds said after the meeting that thereduction enforcement policy was the main topic as the boarddebated how the district could survive future budget cuts.

“This district lost over $90,000 this year because of budgetcuts and lack of funding. It could be devastating if we have cutsmid-year next year, and we don’t prepare for it,” Bounds said.

Board members decided the solution was not to renew thecontracts of six teachers under the district’s reductionenforcement policy, which is used when the district loses fundingor has to cut programs, Bounds said.

“It’s something we don’t like to do, but we have to if we’refacing budget cuts,” said Bounds.

The six teachers will, however, have first priority if anopening in their subject area arises before the next school yearbegins.

“We hope we’ll be able to find every one of them a job beforethe end of this school year,” added Bounds.

Board members did approve recommendations last night on othercertified staff members for the upcoming school year.

In other executive session matters, the recommendation to expeltwo students for behavior matters was upheld.

The next school board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 24at the central office.