In an effort to address the budget deficit (thought to be $2.6 million at this point), Superintendent Laval Wilson introduced a plan to fill up to forty teacher vacancies with “employees in any of 15 categories, including psychologists, guidance, counselors, music staff, administrative assistants, prep-time teachers and other specialists” in a bid to save $194,000. The school board additionally debated on whether or not to grant Wilson “the power to eliminate eight positions on his central administrative staff.” The timing of such measures, particularly the decision to avoid hiring teachers to replace those lost to attrition, would only have increased tensions between the school board, the superintendent, and the teachers.