Steamboat Springs — The Hayden School Board tonight is set to consider whether to renew contracts for probationary and nonprobationary licensed staff.

Administrative consultant Mike Luppes said the district’s administration would recommend that board members not renew one probationary licensed staff member, a teacher who, according to state statutes, has yet to complete three years with the district.

The district may have to not renew as many as three teaching positions, School Board President Brian Hoza said. The district is working to address a projected budget shortfall of $495,000 during the 2010-11 school year. The district already has eliminated Hayden Middle School Principal Gina Zabel’s position for next school year.

Luppes, who was appointed by the School Board last week to assist the district’s administrators for the rest of the fiscal year, said he hopes additional staff cuts aren’t necessary.

“I would not rule out that possibility, but we’re still working through a number of those things yet,” he said.

Should board members ap­­prove the 23 nonprobationary and 13 probationary licensed staff members on tonight’s agenda and decide later that further reductions are needed, Luppes said the district would have to implement its “Reduction in Force,” or layoff, policy.

The School Board also is scheduled to consider whether to approve the resignation of one licensed staff member and contracts of district directors. Luppes said the only director position the district hasn’t decided what to do about next year is transportation.

Board members fired Trans­portation Director Richard “Festus” Hagins in October. Former Superintendent Greg Rockhold, before being relieved of his duties last month after his contract wasn’t renewed for next school year, previously served in that capacity.

Hoza said the goal of tonight’s school board meeting, which includes a budget discussion, is to confirm next year’s staffing.

“We just need to make some final decisions so people know where they stand,” he said.

Hoza said an executive session is scheduled if board members need to discuss personnel issues related to the staffing decisions they’ll consider.

Luppes, who started Monday, said his first couple of days on the job have been busy. He will be paid $10,000 for working part time through the end of the fiscal year, which runs through June 30.

Rockhold already has been paid for April. Jnl Linsacum, the district’s finance director, said the district owes Rockhold $19,485 in salary and benefits for the rest of his contract, which runs through the fiscal year.

Board members tonight also will consider approving the 2010-11 school year calendar. District staff members have reviewed several calendar options since last month. There will be a chance for the public to comment.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. in Room 165 at Hayden High School, across from the office.

— To reach Jack Weinstein, call 871-4203 or e-mail jweinstein@steamboatpilot.com