Anchorage schools to cut sports

ANCHORAGE (AP) -- The Anchorage School Board Wednesday eliminated high school hockey, swimming and gymnastics from next year's school budget.

Among the other casualties as the School Board sought $11 million in cuts were more than 170 district positions, including 67 teachers at all grade levels, 63 kindergarten aides and eight administrators. Another 63 aides initially targeted were spared.

The high school programs and other reductions could still be restored, but only if the Assembly approves an increase in the school district's expenditures for 2000-01.

The Assembly last month reduced the district's total budget by $8 million, in anticipation that voters may adopt a property tax cap.

The Assembly is expected to revisit the district's budget next week, School Board members said.

In Wednesday's special meeting, the board struggled for seven hours to find $11.1 million in budget reductions, to cover both the $8 million cut by the Assembly and the higher-than-planned cost of teachers' salary increases. Members of the teachers union will vote on the proposed labor contract tonight.