One of the many cuts to the Bow School District’s budget is the discontinuation of the International Baccalaureate application process for this year.

During the March 14 School District Meeting, voters approved the Budget Committee’s recommended $24.8 million figure, about $152,000 less than the School Board’s proposal.

At a Thursday, April 3, meeting, the School Board debated the IB program and voted to approve a list of cuts.

Superintendent of Schools Dean Cascadden brought board members a list of about $100,000 in cuts, leaving the board with $52,000 to be cut from a second list of nine possibilities.

Board members ruled out reducing a custodial position, deferring equipment purchases and maintenance, and eliminating the indoor track and swimming programs, leaving them with four potential items to cut.

Members agreed it made most sense to cut a proposed part-time assistant special education director position, but were still left with $8,000 to reach the total amount of cuts. They decided the IB program was the next logical candidate.

In recent weeks, some residents spoke out against the program, although School Board member Deb McCann said, prior to the vote, that it should not affect how the board approaches the issue.

“It’s the wrong thing to do to turn heels because of public pressure. We were put in theseseats to make tough decisions,” said McCann. “The opposition has a large voice, and I have heard voices in favor of the IB.”

Having community support is one of the items required in the application process. Board member Warren Fargo, however, opposed continuing the IB program.

“I think we have animosity in the community because of this program,” said Fargo. “There’s a communication program that is splitting the community. It isn’t what IB stands for, but it’s something the community doesn’t have full information on.”

Cascadden said during the meeting that if the board decided not to go forward with the application at the current time, it would likely be more than a year until it could be approached again.

McCann, in favor of the program, said she believed it would be even longer.

“I think we are seriously kidding ourselves if we think it will be less than four or five years before we approach this again,” she said.

After a lengthy discussion, McCann and School Board member Stephen Elgert voted to continue with the IB application, while Fargo and Anne Baier voted against it, leaving the final vote to Chairman Pansy Bloomfield, who voted not to continue with the application.

To reach the $152,000 of cuts, board members decided to take the remaining $8,000 from the $19,000 set aside for IB and set the remaining money aside for professional development.

Resident Marc Brunell thought the board’s decision was the correct one.

“I question the cost implications of IB,” said Brunell. “I think the board made the right decision. If it’s important enough and people have support, we’ll know. But for now, there was a lot of opposition.”

Resident Sharon Eng said it is important to continue to look carefully at the program.

“I don’t think the board rejected IB but made the decision to re-evaluate it,” said Eng. “I think there was positive give and take. The community has strong opinions both ways. It’s a big change, and it’s prudent for the School Board and the community to examine all options and work together.”

In addition to cutting IB and the special education assistant director position, the board also cut a home tutoring increase, a Bow Elementary School program assistant, three Destination Imagination coaches, a gifted and talented conference, the Bow Memorial field hockey program, the winter Spirit program, the gymnastics program and a van lease.

Also, multiple teaching positions at the high school that had been switched from part-time to full-time will be reduced back to their original roles.