School District 55’s proposed budget anticipates a revenue loss of $1 million, which will require cuts in staffing levels.
The revenue loss is based on declining enrollment within the district.
“Development of this year’s proposed budget document has been a difficult task,” Supt. Bill Hampton said. “A combination of issues has cause the district to have an anticipated revenue loss of approximately $1 million. To compensate for this shortfall, the district will reduce programs and services by approximately $850,000, increase the cash carryover by $100,000 and make $50,000 in other adjustments.
“The foremost situation faced by the district is a continued loss of students. The district anticipates a continued decline in students, especially at the elementary level. Based on current projections, for January 2002, the district will have lost 292 students since January 1997, of which, 291 will be elementary students.”
Projections for January 2000 to January 2002 show a decline of 173 students, of which 173 are elementary. Each student loss is a projected loss in funding of $4,795.
“Coupled with declining enrollment is the governor’s budget for the biennium, which provides an increase in funding to schools which is less than inflation,” Supt. Hampton said. “At the same time, many costs are skyrocketing, such as utilities and workers’ compensation insurance.”
The district used an estimate of 98.3 percent of the governor’s recommended budget to develop its own budget.
Administrators across the district worked together to develop the budget and the proposed cuts, Supt. Hampton said. Among those reductions, are $722,000 in licensed staff. That cut includes 6.5 elementary teachers, two junior high teachers, three high school teachers, one districtwide media specialist, one districtwide special education position and alternative education position.
“Reductions in staffing are difficult but, because of resignations and retirements, the district anticipates being able to make reductions with minimal impact to contract licensed staff or permanent classified employees,” Supt. Hampton said.
The total budget is $40,711,299, which includes the proposed bonds for $23,841,700 that were decided by voters on Tuesday. The results of the bond election were unavailable at press time.
The regular budget is $16,869,599. Of that, $14,740,831 is in the general fund. The remainder is in special funds and grant programs.
For the proposed year, the proposed budget would create a teacher-student ratio of 24.7 to one at the elementary level, 23.4 to one at the junior high and 22.2 at the high school level.
The budget committee met on May 8. It’s next meeting will be at 7 p.m. on May 22.