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Alcoa school board members Saturday met in a work session to discuss the state of the system.

School officials discussed many topics regarding the system's finances, personnel, technology, curriculum, facilities and communication practices during the nearly six-hour meeting in Townsend. No action was taken during the meeting.

Board members said they're trying this year to hold the line and don't foresee any financial relief this fiscal year or fiscal 2010-11. School officials would need an additional $150,000 to fund degree raises and step increases if all revenues remain level, said Director of Schools Tom Shamblin.

City officials previously gave Alcoa's schools a 4 percent increase each year, Shamblin said. The system is currently in its third year without a funding increase, he said.

Sales tax revenues have leveled out, Shamblin said. State officials have also discussed potential cuts to the coordinated school health, family resource center and extended contract programs, he said. Two Alcoa programs currently funded by extended contract monies are the intercession and after-school tutoring programs.

Shamblin said many of the state's school directors have told him they plan to balance their own budgets by eliminating their graduation coaches and literacy leaders.

Board members later lamented the continued funding woes and discussed possible ways to balance their own budget.