Some of the spending reductions under consideration to balance the Highline School District's 2006-2007 budget include eliminating school resource officers, closing the teen parent program and reducing the school building budget.

The district could also dip into other funding sources, such as bond revenue, to pay for programs that otherwise would be removed from its general fund.

Paring down the teen parent program prompted the most emotional audience reaction during the ,June 28 board meeting. Speakers pleaded with the board not to close it, stressing the program's ability to keep mothers in school instead of dropping out.

"Teen moms need us. We offer food and knowledge of how to be a good parent," said Karen Berg. "The positive thing about this program is that we can give the love and care needed to keep these girls in school."

Board members assured the public that they will review the teen mother program before deciding whether to cut it.

The elimination of police school resource officers (SROs) at Highline and Evergreen high schools and the Tyee would close a $180,000 gap in the budget shortfall.

Mt. Rainer High School would be excluded from the cut because an SRO was part of the agreement between local residents and the district when the school was relocated to Olympic.

"The officers have a real integral part in being at the schools, but ultimately they're not our employees because they are contracted through [King] County," said board president Phyllis Byers.

The Board now must take final action on the proposed budget by the end of August.