Bremen City Schools Superintendent Dr. Stanley McCain said the school board will be exploring ways to reduce expenses for the after-school program following a financial review held at their monthly meeting on Monday.

Director of Finance Celia Edwards told the board she is pursuing further evaluation of the budget to prevent the program from going in the red. According to a recent review, the program is $4,000 short of funding mainly due to fewer participants as a result of economic hardships this school year. Officials assured the system’s reserve can cover the deficit if push comes to shove, but in the meantime, they’re looking for a dual incentive, which would fill the hole and increase participation in the program.

A broader selection of activities may be an option, according to McCain. He said the enhancement could peak more interest from students and parents to partake in the educational and recreation components of the program. A trim in the work schedule for after-school personnel might also be in the future to stabilize the budget.

Though the system is in “good shape” financially regarding tuition, Edwards expects “January to be a better picture” for payments since parents are allowed to make two installments. She expects more payments will trickle in this month to settle the few outstanding balances.

“We need the rest of the money collected for new year’s payments,” Edwards added.

McCain later announced good standing in the general operations budget. He said the board has received 83 percent of its tax revenue and all budgeted revenue for E-rate. E-rate is a federal program systems that assists with fees for electronic communications.

Letters were recently mailed to urge parents to register their child for free and reduced meals made available through federal funding. He addressed that recent job layoffs may qualify parents who would greatly benefit from the opportunity.

Under old business, the board heard updates from Jones Elementary Principal Bill Garrett regarding implemented improvements to the third-grade Early Intervention (EIP) program. Garrett highlighted goals in the initiative to include increased participation in after-school programming for Title I students and supplemental help in mathematics.

“We’re taking strides in the right direction with this,” McCain said. “We hope to make a difference in third-grade students to meet standards, especially in math.”

The board followed with an approval of the 2010-11 calendar for students and teachers. Prior to the vote, the proposed version was advertised on the system’s Web site to solicit feedback from parents about amendments. Those minor changes include the CRCT testing scheduled before spring break to better ensure a good performance.

The Bremen Academy Student Council’s lost and found consignment program and Bremen High’s revised fundraiser submissions were approved.

The board also permitted the Bremen Parks and Recreation Department to use the high school fields and track for spring activities. They also accepted McCain’s recommendation to conduct research on the effectiveness of $32,000 of curriculum materials purchased through stimulus funds.

The board also welcomed their newest addition, Vann Pelt, to the meeting. Haralson County Probate Judge Eddie Hulsey administered the oath of office to him and long-time member and board Chairman Daryl Sellers, whose seat was up for election this year.

The substitute teacher list was approved, along with an extended day schedule for an employee. McCain said the scheduling measure was necessary to accommodate 20 students.

The board returned from an executive session to announce McCain had received a good evaluation on his professional performance.

The next Bremen School board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8, at the Bremen Board of Education Office in Bremen.