The Lufkin School Board is in the process of cutting roughly one and a half million dollars out of the annual budget, and the cuts aren't expected to stop there.

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If the Texas Legislature can't reach agreement on reforming education funding the cuts could go a lot deeper — up to $6 million for the largest district in Angelina County.

LISD Superindent Roy Knight says it's going to be bloody. “I hesitate to say this program is safe or that program is safe. It could be tragic for kids in this school system.”

No matter what the legislature does, the district is already making cuts. Athletics at Lufkin High School and Destination Imagination and Spanish at Lufkin Middle School are being changed or eliminated.

Knight says about $100,000 will be cut from the Lufkin High School  athletics budget. The coaching staff will be cut, but no jobs will be lost since the coaches are also teachers.

Reducing travel spending is one way the district can save money. Superintendents statewide are voting whether to limit out-of-town tournaments and the number of junior varsity games to save money.

Some people in the legislature are saying privately that at some point, local school districts will have to choose between cutting sports, or laying off teachers and eliminating classes.  They say that's when local taxpayers will find out what their priorities are.  Do they want education?  Or the Friday night lights?

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