5th Edition of "Money Talk"
by Larry R. Combs, Superintendent
April 27, 2009
Money
Talk—5th Edition
April 27,
2009
It has been well over a month since I have updated the “Money Talk” column and yet despite the length of time since the last article there are no final budget figures to share with you. Although there has been considerable discussion in Topeka regarding the budget (and a budget “approved” for next year) all previous discussions are for naught due to the current economic volatility in the state of Kansas.
The economic specialists who are responsible for providing the Kansas Legislature economic forecasts have advised legislators that the economic downturn is even larger than first predicted. In short, the state of Kansas is losing tax revenues at a larger and faster rate than was predicted earlier. The budget the Legislature approved before leaving for recess in early April is now considered a budget the state will not be able to afford or fund.
In an earlier “Money Talk” article you were advised that USD #239 would lose slightly over $31,000 from the budget for the current 2008-2009 school year. The budget approved by the Kansas Legislature just prior to the latest economic estimates would have cut an additional $32,000 from the budget for a total loss in the General Fund of just over $63,000 for the 2009-2010 school year.
The Kansas House and Senate committees responsible for developing a revised budget for next year met the week of April 20th to adjust the proposed state budget in order to meet the latest economic estimates. As you may have read in the daily newspapers or heard on the television and radio news media outlets, the news is not good for Kansas schools. In all fairness, the Kansas Legislature did make a sincere effort to spare schools deeper budget cuts. However, the latest economic forecasts deem it necessary to cut Kansas schools more than was first anticipated.
The bottom line for USD #239 as far as budget cuts for the 2009-2010 school year is now in a range of approximately $130,000 to $189,000 in the General Fund. Additional cuts will also take place in the area of special education and also state aid for Capital Outlay funds (those dollar figures are not available at this time). In short, USD #239 along with all other Kansas school districts appears to be faced with substantial budget cuts for the 2009-2010 school year.
The Kansas Legislature will return to Topeka on Wednesday, April 29th to finalize the budget for the next fiscal year. It is important to keep in mind that the dollar figures shared above will be discussed and finalized by the entire Kansas Legislature. I would encourage you to contact our legislators and encourage them to support Kansas schools to the best of their ability. There is little question that deeper cuts will be necessary, however it is critical that the Legislature explore all alternatives (increased revenues and other options) before schools are cut to the point we lose programs and opportunities for our kids.
There will be another “Money Talk” update once the Legislature finalizes the budget AND the Governor approves the budget for next year. There is no question that Kansas schools will be cut even more dollars than was first anticipated; how much more remains to be resolved in Topeka. If you have any questions over this article please feel free to give me a phone call (392-2167) or send me an e-mail at lcombs@usd239.org.
Thanks for reading…..
Larry R. Combs, Superintendent
