Balancing district budget will not be easy, pleasant
By GERALD HENDERSON
Superintendent, Marion-Florence USD 408
In a previous Gerry's Gargon (January), I outlined the declining enrollment in USD 408 and the resulting effect on our general fund budget. In short, because we are dropping in enrollment, Marion-Florence USD 408 stands to lose more than $500,000 in budget authority over the next two fiscal years.
The January article also pointed out that 80 percent of our district budget is in people costs — salaries, benefits, unemployment insurance, etc. Since we are in the people business, such a large percentage devoted to people is not surprising. The difficulty comes when we have to begin trimming our general fund budget, as is now the case.
For the past two months the board of education has wrestled with how to cut $300,000 for our budget for next year and an additional $200,000 for the 2005-2006 school year. It did not take us long to understand that we can't do the job without reducing the number of people we employ.
In January the board asked our leadership team (superintendent, business manager, and the three building principals) to make recommendations as to how the board might make cuts having the least effect on our educational programs.
At the February board meeting, the leadership team presented its list of possible cuts. Since the cuts involve personnel, the board discussed the recommendation in executive session, and after much discussion, made several changes to the recommendation forwarded by the leadership team.
It is not possible for me to describe the agony experienced by members of our board during those discussions. Nobody likes to make decisions that affect people's jobs, but those decisions must be made.
Below is the list of potential cuts about which at the end of the February meeting the board had reached consensus. Our thought was for the board to spend a month thinking about this consensus. We now believe our thinking was wrong, and that it is now time to allow for public input.
Therefore, if anyone has ideas or opinions about the proposed reductions, please give us a call. E-mail messages also may be sent. Please keep in mind that it is not possible to operate within our budget restrictions without reducing the number of employees.
The potential cuts now being considered by the board include:
Reduce one custodian at the secondary campus, $22,000
Reduce one and one-half high school classroom teachers, $51,000
Reduce one elementary school classroom teacher (intermediate), $43,000
Reduce two teacher aides, $25,000
Reduce one media specialist, $46,000
Reduce one bus driver, $11,000
These potential reductions amount to a $198,000 cut in the budget. The board proposes to reduce other parts of the budget (equipment, repairs, classroom supplies) by another $100,000. Items under serious consideration by the board but not now a part of the consensus include reducing the number of activities available to middle and high school students and/or implementing a fee for participation in activities.
Again, public input is welcome. Because it provides an immediate and accurate record, e-mail is the preferred medium. As was stated in the January Gargon, this task will not be easy and it will not be pleasant.
Send e-mail to gerryh@teen.k12.ks.us, or call the district office, 620-382-2117.
