As the state Legislature continued in special session, officials in the Sumner School District rode the edge of their seats as they awaited news on the cuts they faced. A cut between $2.6 million and $4.6 million was expected for the 2010-11 school year.
At the school board meeting April 14, Debbie Campbell announced that the estimated cut would be a bit more than $2.7 million, close to the lower limit of expectations and about $100,000 more than the previous budget year’s losses.
“We were up until 1 a.m. in the morning waiting for the final budget numbers to be released,” said Campbell, the district’s executive director for business services. “I think we ended up with some pretty good news.
“The final number is at least better than we expected.”
Under the changes, I-728, a 2000 initiative providing funding for certain education reforms, is gone and represents the largest cut at more than $1 million.
Kindergarten through third-grade classes will remain fully funded, but fourth-grade funding will be reduced by $206,050.
There will be no cost-of-living adjustments in pay, but health benefits will increase 3 percent for full-time employees, from $745 monthly to $768. The bargained amount for the COLA fund will be cut by $391,942.
Included in the total estimated revenue loss was an estimated drop in enrollment. The decrease in students represented $841,491, but board member Greg Hanon disputed whether that number should be included in the estimated revenue change.
“It’s not really a change in revenue,” Hanon said to Campbell. “I mean, it is a change in the gross revenue to the district, but it represents fewer students. The scope of our service is smaller.”
In March, the district sent letters to teachers who had written their intent to return the following year, warning them that staff positions would be reduced and that jobs could not be guaranteed for the next school year.
The district has been attempting to accomplish the necessary reductions through retirements and voluntary resignations.
In other action, the school board:
• recognized 15 teachers who are candidates for becoming National Board Certified Teachers.
• heard a presentation by Co-Principals Steve Fulkerson and Toby Udager and students on the progress of the new Lakeridge Middle School.
• heard a report on eighth-grade learning interventions by teachers Frank Hasiak and Jennifer Meyer.
• approved the 2010-13 technology plan.
• approved a revision to school district policy to include detailed requirements for graduation.
• approved a resolution for reduced educational programs and staffing.
