The New Ulm District 88 School Board on Tuesday was presented the district administration’s recommendations for cutting over a million dollars from next school year’s budget. The need to trim the budget in such a drastic manner comes following the defeat of the District 88 levy referendum last November. Cost-cutting ideas presented to the board during Tuesday’s work session included: the switch to a 4-day flexible school week, which is pending state approval, cutting the equivalent of 10 full-time teaching positions, an early retirement incentive for district staff, activity department adjustments that would include increasing participation fees, delaying uniform purchases, eliminating coach busing, attempting to collect admissions for track and softball, cutting the supply budget, and more, as well as a bus route reduction, utilizing Friends of District 88 funds, a possible freeze on textbook purchases, and other proposals. Another work session will be held on March 6th, and the final budget cuts will then be approved later in the month.