Shake-up on Portage School Board

PORTAGE, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – There has been a big shake-up on the Portage School Board at a time when the district needs solid leadership.

The district is finding itself without a school board president Tuesday morning after she resigned at Monday night's meeting. Jennifer Whistler gave personal reasons for the decision.

The board now has 30 days to appoint a new trustee who will serve through June. An election in May will find someone to fill the remainder of her two year term.

This change in leadership comes at a time when the district is having to make some major cuts. At Monday night's meeting the board discussed a first round of cuts totaling $625,000. From that, $219,000 would come from administration reductions, $52,000 would come from reduced training and $354,000 would come from supplies like text books.

The next round of cuts, which is much larger at $1.8 million, will be discussed at meetings on December 7th and 14th.