Lion's Pause
2nd Ed.
by Larry Combs, Superintendent
January 26, 2009
“The Lions Pause”
2nd Edition—2008-2009
First, greetings from the office of the superintendent. It is my fondest hope that you and your family had a wonderful holiday season and that the 2009 year is off to a good start for you and yours. There is little question that the 2008-2009 school year is progressing rapidly as we are over the half-way point in the school year.
This New Year brings with it some very uncertain times for us as individuals, our communities, our great state and our great nation. Obviously, school districts are not immune to these uncertainties and the economic issues that face our state and nation. To that end I would like to share the current status of school finance and how it might impact USD #239.
Status of School Finance….as of today—
As you may note, the above sub-title states “…as of today”…it is important to keep in mind that the status of school finance in the state of Kansas is currently very fluid and volatile. Anything that is included in this writing could (and probably will) change over the next few days and weeks.
It is best to start with what we know relating to the financial picture and school finance in particular. There is no question that the nation’s economy and the economy in the state of Kansas are in disarray. Those charged with predicting the future of the economy in our state (Kansas) have indicated that by June 30, 2010 Kansas will face at least a one billion dollar deficit. Unfortunately it appears that predicted deficit is growing as this article is being written. In short, Kansas is on the verge of a considerable cash shortfall over the next eighteen months that, by state law, must be addressed.
In as much as PreK-12 Education in Kansas is approximately 53% of the state budget, there is no question that the one billion dollar shortfall will have a direct impact on Kansas school districts. The question remains, how much and how great will that financial impact be on Kansas schools? This question is currently under debate in Topeka by our Kansas Legislature and the Governor.
The only “concrete” figure that is known at this time is the dollar figures that were in the Governor’s proposed budget released January 13, 2009. In the Governor’s proposed budget USD #239 would lose $20,995 this school year (2008-2009) and an additional decline of $63,063 next school year (2009-2010) for a total General Fund decline of $84,058. This proposal would result in minimal changes in USD #239 and could be handled by some minor cutbacks and delayed purchases over the next couple of school years. In short, the Governor’s proposal, although not pleasant, would be a doable proposal.
Unfortunately, superintendents across the state of Kansas are being informed (almost on a daily basis) that the Governor’s proposal is the “floor” (the starting point if you will) for all discussions. In short, it is highly doubtful, in the final analysis, the cuts proposed by the Governor will be the cuts school districts will receive. Many legislators have indicated that the governor’s proposed cuts are not nearly enough and the dollar figure will increase, perhaps dramatically.
It is very important to keep in mind the next set of figures are strictly speculation at this time. The Legislature is currently discussing cuts in the range of 2% to 4% for the current school year (a range of $83,000 to $168,000 for USD #239). An additional minimum cut of 4% ($168,000) for next school year (2009-2010) is under debate.
In short, USD #239 could be faced with the potential of a minimum cut $251,000 to $336,000 over the next eighteen months. There is no question that cuts of this magnitude would have a significant negative impact on our school district. However, as was stated, it is important to keep in mind these figures are only speculation at this time.
Again, the only concrete dollar figures we (the school district) have to work with at this time are the dollar figures included in the Governor’s proposal. Let us hope, in the final analysis, the cuts are closer to the Governor’s proposal than they are to the cuts currently under discussion in Topeka by our Legislature. The only certainty at this point in time is that there will be some cuts this school year and additional cuts next school year for school districts. At this time the best thing schools can do is to “plan for the worst and hope for the best”.
Budget cuts and the impact on USD #239--
As was previously stated, the Governor’s proposed cuts could be handled with some minor changes and delayed purchases. However, if the cuts increase significantly beyond the proposals set forth by the Governor, the ability to handle the cuts will become increasingly difficult.
USD #239 will follow the process it has used in the past when considering cuts. The first step in the process is for the administrative team to analyze the current budget and expenditures to determine where cuts are possible and feasible. A list of potential cuts will be developed from that analysis which will be provided to the Board of Education. The Board of Education will add to and/or delete items on the potential cut list. The Board of Education will then discuss the potential cuts at future board meetings. A timeline for those discussions will be discussed at the February 2009 board meeting.
As was stated earlier in this article, a great deal of what the school district is dealing with at this time is speculation. Until such time as we (the school district, Board of Education and personnel) know what we are dealing with in dollars and cents, it is difficult to develop a definitive timeline for potential cuts. Hence, the necessity to develop a plan to handle the worst case scenario and hope that we do not have to implement the plan in its entirety.
Obviously it is most difficult to draft an article regarding school finance and potential cuts without adding to the “doom and gloom” atmosphere that currently permeates our state and national media. That said, as your superintendent, I have a responsibility to communicate to you how these state and national issues may impact our local school district. It is my sincere belief that the way through these difficult times is to continue to work together and to focus on what is important…doing the best we can do with what we have for the kids of North Ottawa County.
And what about the bond issue construction projects????
On a much more positive note, as you may be aware the two new classrooms at Minneapolis Grade School were completed and occupied by the 6th grade classes when they returned from Christmas Break. With the exception of some work outside the building, the projects at Minneapolis Grade School that were part of the bond issue are complete.
The new classrooms, renovated auditorium and expanded cafeteria at Minneapolis Junior Senior High School are progressing rapidly. It would appear that these new and renovated spaces will be ready for student use by mid-to-late February (if not sooner). The MJSHS site will also have some outside work to complete after the new classrooms are completed.
There will be an Open House planned for both MGS and MJSHS later this spring. The open house will provide the patrons with an opportunity to see the new and renovated spaces in both buildings. Thank you so much for your time, patience, cooperation and support in this endeavor.
“The greatest thing in this world is not so much where we are,
but in what direction we are moving.”
(Oliver Wendell Holmes)
