ETHS Superintendent: No Cuts to Art Department

Evanston Township High School District 202 has released a clarification of proposed cuts to the fine arts department, noting that there will be one administrative reduction at the end of the school year, but the department will continue to function as normal.

The statement stressed that there will be no changes to the programs, course offerings, materials, supplies, or faculty of the fine arts department.

The position will be cut due to a retirement, the statement said, and will not be replaced due to the economy and cuts in state funding.

In place of the current arts administrative position, "the current Department Chair for Career and Technical Education (formerly Applied Sciences and Technologies) will oversee both the Fine Arts and Career and Technical Education departments starting in 2011-12."

The Career and Technical Education department is not expected to be affected by the double-role of the department chair.

"It should be noted that District 202 will face other tough decisions, including personnel reductions, for next year's budget. A comprehensive budget package will be prepared after the state makes its budget determinations. All school districts in Illinois will have to address school funding issues and reduction in state aid, and Evanston Township High School District 202 is not alone in this challenge," the statement read.