Sean C. Morgan
While forecasts are optimistic for school funding in the 2013-15 biennium, School District 55 will need to continue to remain conservative and employ sustainable, fiscally sound budgeting measures in the 2012-13 school year, according to Supt. Don Schrader.
The district received an estimate April 2 from the Oregon Department of Education that sets the 2012-13 state school grant at $12.3 million, significantly less than what the district received five years ago, and the district is no longer receiving federal stimulus funding to help offset reduced state funding, Schrader said in his budget message Monday night during the first meeting of the district Budget Committee.
In 2007, Oregon legislators and the governor funded schools at nearly $6.3 billion statewide, which meant significant increases from the previous biennium, Schrader said. “These were giant steps toward adequate school funding and to follow the recommendations promoted in the Quality Education Model.”
The following year, the economy suffered a major downturn and school funding fell well below adequate levels, Schrader said. “For the last five years, school districts have grappled with higher costs and lower school funding. Last year, newly elected Gov. Kitzhaber stated, ‘Schools will need to tighten their belts and do more with less.’”
In 2011, schools were funded at their lowest level in 10 years at $5.7 billion statewide, creating a significant reduction for public school funding, Schrader said. “This poor funding scenario caused the cuts to run deep in Sweet Home. Over the last two years, the budget has been reduced by nearly $2 million.
“Class sizes have increased, jobs have been cut, hours have been reduced, a school was closed, furlough days were added, no increases in compensation for employee groups; and next year, the district will move to the four-day school week, which creates even further reductions.”
But there is good news, he said. “The forecast for Oregon public education seems to be getting brighter. Word out of Salem is that schools could be funded much higher in the 2013-15 biennium.
“This is encouraging, and we are very hopeful that school funding gets better.”
But the district must remain conservative in the 2012-13 school year, he said.
The budget was built based on several assumptions, such as the state’s revenue forecast. It also anticipates enrollment growth of 15 students, while anticipating an increase of 30 in enrollment at the Charter School.
No district staff members received a cost-of-living increase during the 2012-13 school year, although teachers receive a step increase on July 1. It is the third year with no cost-of-living increase for teachers and administrators, and the second year for classified staff.
The budget includes one furlough day next school year, while this year had four.
Full-time equivalent staffing levels decrease by nearly 30, from 272.7 in 2011-12 to 243 in the 2012-13 school year.
The general fund is budgeted with ending fund balance of $512,000, 3 percent, on June 30, 2013. The General Fund is proposed at $17.8 million, down from $18.2 million in 2011-12 and up from an actual figure of $17.7 million in 2010-11 and $18.1 million in 2009-10.
The district is proposing a budget of $28.3 million in all funds, a 2.1 percent decrease, which include debt service funds for retirement and construction, $5.2 million; federal programs, like Title I, $825,000; early retirement, $400,000; maintenance, $650,000; grant programs; student body activities, $1.2 million; food service, $860,000; and other specialized funds.
General Fund revenues include $12.3 million in state funding; $3.6 million property taxes; no federal forest fees, which provided $136,000 last year and $243,000 in 2009-10; and $222,000 from the common school fund.
The General Fund begins with an estimated $950,000 carryover and will receive smaller amounts of funding from a variety of other sources, such as fees, tuition, interest and grants.
“The educators in the Sweet Home School District take their mission to educate students at high levels very seriously and will continue to foster the success of all children.
“We look forward to a better financial outlook. Meanwhile, we will continue to hold our students as our number-one priority and focus on helping all kids to find success and prepare them for what lies ahead in their futures.”
The Budget Committee elected Jeff Lynn as chairman and Steven Olin as secretery.
Present at the meeting were School Board members Chanz Keeney and Chairman Jason Redick.
Board members absent were Jenny Daniels, Mike E. Adams, Kevin Burger, Billie Weber, David VanDerlip and Mike Reynolds.
Appointed citizens attending included Brandell Braatz, Edene Flierl, Olin, Lynn, Kari Bennett, Leena Neuschwander, Teresa Wilson and Mary Sue Reynolds.
Anay Hausner was a bsent.
The next meeting is set for 6 p.m. on May 15.