The Longview School Board is scheduled to vote today on charging students to participate in fifth-grade orchestra.

The move is intended to prevent the program from being cut

entirely. Fees could range from $45 to $75, depending on two scenarios presented to the board, with a possible exception for students who qualify for free and reduced lunches.

A $25 fee to participate in high school plays also could be decided, as could a theater rental fee ranging from $250-$400 for outside users.

Changing middle school sports programs to an intramural system is another topic to be revisited by the board. The district expects to save money in transportation costs by having students compete against classmates, rather than compete against teams from other schools.

Discussion on charging middle and high school students to play sports also is on the agenda. Several different scenarios are up for consideration. Possible adoption of a participation fee program is scheduled for the May 11 board meeting.

In addition to those topics, the board is scheduled to review results from the 2008 Healthy Youth Survey.

The Longview School Board meets at 7:30 p.m. today at the school district office, located at 28th Avenue and Lilac Street.

Kelso School Board to vote on layoffs tonight to balance budget

When the Kelso School Board meets tonight, members are scheduled to vote on a resolution officially approving certified staff layoffs in order to fill a $3 million budget gap the district anticipates for next school year.

Part of the resolution also calls for reducing the district’s director of elementary education to a half-time position. A list of possible “add backs” to the budget, if cuts are less severe than the district is expecting, will also be reviewed by the board. The list calls for hiring back teachers as a top priority.

The third and final reading on the school district’s policy to allow movies higher than a PG rating is also scheduled. The showing of some films may require a signed permission slip by a parent in order for students to watch.

The Kelso School Board meets at 7 p.m. today at the Kelso School District Office, 601 Crawford Street.