Amador County - The Amador County Unified School District Board of Trustees met Wednesday, with looming budget cutbacks the hot topic of discussion. The first order of business was the swearing in of three board members – returning Mary Walser and newly elected Janelle Redkey and Wally Upper. Walser was unanimously re-elected as Board President. Three Block “A” Community Service recipients were recognized for outstanding public service. Kellsey Long contributed 136 service hours creating a teen suicide prevention outreach program through participation in performing arts. Lena Johnson achieved an extraordinary 150 hours of service. Sarah Post, an aspiring nurse, has supported innumerable groups throughout the community focusing on poverty and hospice. Barbara Murray presented a sobering 2008-09 First Interim Budget Revision report reflecting additions and reductions to the Budget Adoption in June 2008. Murray explained that the report represented the budgetary projections as of October 31, 2008 and stated, “We are in a very different situation now.” Upper questioned, “Can you give us an estimate of revenue cuts expected this year?” The reply from Murray was a simple and sincere, “no.” She added the hopeful expectation of clearer direction from State Budget Proposal being released January 9, 2009. Superintendent Richard Glock stated that the Board had moved to cut spending in September anticipating the current economic climate. Later, during the Reports and Discussions portion of the meeting, board member Karl Knobelauch gave a brief overview of the California School Board Association Conference he attended this month. Throughout the conference speakers, economists and columnists foretold of an increasing state deficit predicting future widespread budget cuts. Due to budget concerns, Knobelauch paid for his attendance to the conference himself. Story by Debi Brodie