JEFFERSON TWP — Future students at Knoch High School may not have the option to parle français — that is, be able to take French classes — for much longer.

More than 50 parents, students and teachers packed Knoch Middle School library Wednesday night during the South Butler County School Board meeting to defend the French curriculum.

The board will vote next week on the district’s 2015-16 final budget, which includes phasing out French classes during the next five years, starting with French I that’s now offered to eighth graders.

Increasing health care and pension costs, paired with steadily decreasing student enrollment, played a large role in the proposed cuts.

“In the past decade, we’ve lost about 500 students” in the school district, said David Zupsic, assistant superintendent.

And it’s expected to decrease more in the coming years.

“The current senior class has 239 students. And current enrollment in kindergarten is 141,” he said. “If I look at the high school levels right now, I see a AAA high school. And if I look at the primary levels, I see a AA school.”

The district faces a $1.5 million deficit in its $34 million preliminary budget for next school year. But that won’t be covered by a property tax increase because school board members last month voted against a millage increase. The tax rate is 93.275 mills.

Zupsic did highlight new programming offered at the school, including several STEM-based classes, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

However, many students and parents see the potential loss in the arts that could be devastating for students.

Klaudia King, a sophomore who’s enrolled in French II, said, “I struggle with the STEM programs. I’m not that great at math or science, and I find myself looking forward to the languages and English classes and history classes. And I believe the French program offers an outlet for people who don’t like math or aren’t that great at it.”

She and fellow students Maggie Blair and Jacob Love, two French III students, turned in a petition to the board, which includes 341 student signatures and 23 teacher signatures to keep the French program.

Maggie said, “I’m really hoping the petition will help you guys to see that this really is a thing that we feel passionate about.”

Jacob said it’s a misnomer that only technology-centered careers are growing. Languages are the basis of many thriving and growing career options, too, and in fact, often work in tandem with technological careers.

“There’s the illusion that languages aren’t important anymore,” he said.

Mike Leitera, superintendent, said, “These are very difficult decisions. Cutting anything is messy.

“There are foreign language options. There are other factors that go into scheduling. … There’s the actual budget itself. There’s uncertainty each and every year.”

Knoch offers students Spanish, French and German language classes. An eighth-grade Spanish I class also has been proposed to be phased out, but the language will still be offered at the high school.

Latin is available as a cyber class, and Mandarin Chinese will be offered starting next school year as a traditional/cyber hybrid course.