Over 100 people turn out for a Mercer School District forum on finances at New Boston Elementary. Among the issues receiving a lot of attention last night was bussing. The district currently operates its own system for the former Westmer routes while the former Aledo routes are contracted through Johannes Bus Service, but that could change says Superintendent Alan Boucher.
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Some of the comments by audience members included cutting all sports, the football team takes too many busses to away games, if a building closes it should be Apollo, and several people were upset that money is being raised privately for the Pratt Memorial Field improvement project instead of education needs. The district needs to make up a $1-million revenue shortfall. In addition to cutting staff and programs, they are also exploring a 1-percent sales tax and/or property tax increase.