The school board is preparing a list for next month, but it’s not the kind of list usually associated with the holidays.

Tuesday, November 20, 2001

The school board is preparing a list for next month, but it’s not the kind of list usually associated with the holidays. Instead, school officials are planning to announce budget cuts for the 2001-2002 school year by Christmas break.

School board chairwoman Carol Haun said the board will announce a budget cut figure Dec. 3 and follow it up with a list of specific budget cuts Dec. 21.

&uot;We’ve set this timeline to afford people enough time to plan for next year and make whatever necessary arrangements,&uot; she told the audience at Monday’s meeting.

With the failure of the excess levy referendum two weeks ago, the board has asked each building administrator and department head to identify cost-cutting measures. Though the board has not yet identified a specific target figure, some believe it could approach $1 million.

&uot;It’s not an easy number to arrive at,&uot; said Finance Director Mark Stotts. &uot;We have a lot to consider – a lot of projections to study.&uot;

In addition to cuts next year, the board is searching for ways to trim from the current budget. Busing cuts are one possibility that could save the district $50,000 over the remainder of the year, said Superintendent David Prescott, but other areas may yield possible cuts.

&uot;We’re looking at staff development, travel, supplies – anything that’s not connected to salaries and contracts. We’re tied into those,&uot; Prescott said.

The district is also examining its facility fees to see if they ought to be increased, Prescott said.

&uot;In the past, we’re always looking to simply break even. The fee was intended to cover the cost of lights, heating and a custodian,&uot; he said. &uot;Now we want to reexamine all our fees and consider some increases.&uot;

In other school board news:

n Phil Bartusek, an avid marching band supporter and booster club member, told the board that it must consider how many kids will be affected by each cut. For example, cutting from elementary or junior band would disappoint more than 400 students.

Bartusek also said a movement is developing in the community to petition the school board for another referendum request next year.

n Custodians are preparing the Central High School building for winter, said Bruce Olson, director of facilities and transportation. The pipes and sprinklers will be drained and filled with glycol to prevent freezing. The building will not be heated this winter, though the boiler is operational should a buyer want the building heated again, he said.

n Prescott told the board that 11 students have returned to the district in the last two weeks – seven from Alden-Conger and four from Glenville-Emmons.

&uot;Since returning students require no board action, we often don’t hear about them. But many students do come into our district from the smaller districts around us,&uot; he said.

n The board approved a half-time position to coordinate third-party billing for special services. The position will require about 800 hours over 10 months each year and be paid for through provider reimbursements.