BRF School District Eyeing More Cuts to Balance Budget
February 18, 2010
The Black River Falls School District is eyeing another $112,000 in staff cuts and other anticipated savings in an effort to balance its 2010-11 budget.
The newest proposals, which were presented at Monday’s regular school board meeting, would eliminate a nearly $420,000 deficit and create a $2,350 surplus.
The recommendations now include cutting the middle school LMC director and reducing the hours of high school music, art, math and science teachers. The proposal would add a part-time library aide and have the high school LMC director work between the two buildings.
However, the district recently received an anonymous $25,000 donation for the purpose of not reducing hours for the math and science positions — held specifically by Dawn Peterson and James Klos. The letter indicates that the donation could only be used if Peterson and Klos remain in those positions.
The board approved the donation on a 5-0 vote, with the condition that it is not bound to use it. Member Lois Corey abstained; she could not be reached for comment on her abstention as of press time.
Also included in the newest proposal are savings from the district’s new property and casualty insurance bids and a reduction in LMC department head duties. And increasing parking fees from $10 to $50 should increase revenue.
The district, though, may need to add an eighth-grade position next school year depending on enrollment numbers of current seventh-graders.
Jill Collins, the district’s director of business services, said the district had revised its earlier anticipated $372,000 deficit after receiving the results of a study on district enrollment trends. That study, while predicting growth in enrollment, projected a more conservative growth estimate than Collins had originally anticipated; as such, the total revenue limit increase was lower and created a higher starting deficit.
The newest proposal comes in addition to suggestions made last month, in which eight total positions could be eliminated for next school year. This would include eliminating positions for a part-time 4-year-old kindergarten teacher, a first-grade teacher, a fifth-grade teacher, a sixth-grade teacher and a high school technology education teacher. It also would reduce the half-time school psychologist position by one-quarter.
The original proposal also included eliminating two kindergarten positions. However, layoffs could be avoided because one teacher is expected to take a sabbatical next year, and another teacher could be placed into an additional second-grade teacher position.
The district also plans to eliminate the part-time gifted and talented position after the instructor resigned. The district also anticipates one retiree, possibly preventing another layoff.
Some staff members, along with a resident, expressed various concerns over the current proposals at last Monday’s meeting. High school LMC director Cheri Zahasky and Gebhardt and Third Street LMC director Susan Jenkins urged the board to consider how reductions in LMC staffing levels will affect students and staff.
“LMCs are important parts of a child’s education and staff education,” Jenkins said. “We understand cuts are a big thing and we don’t want to pit ourselves against anyone else, or any department against one another, but look at the program and what we do in our district compared to possibly what others do in other districts.
“We have a very progressive (and) I think a very involved media program and we try to accomplish a lot with what we have.”
Fifth-grade teacher Tracey Tumaniec asked whether the current proposals are a “done deal.” Board President Ramie Bakken noted the board and administration are trying to be transparent with the options they’re considering so they can make the best decision.
“I realize that this method is anxiety-producing for staff, but we as a board need to know what the options are so that we can … hear comments from the public, gain a better perspective of the whole picture and hopefully make a better informed decision,” Bakken said.
Black River Falls reside nt Don Delebo also expressed concerns over cutting staff, saying such cuts take away from education’s “front line.”
“How would you like the Packers to get rid of their offensive line and ask (quarterback Aaron) Rodgers to do the same job he’s doing now?” Delebo asked. “To put the budget just on the teachers, I see no cuts on the athletics. And I love athletics, but it’s not a credit course. We’re not here to teach athletics. We’re here to teach the kids.
“There are ways we can get our budget and balance it, but we have to get back to the basics with these teachers that are here. You’re tying their hands.”
The board did approve 0-percent increases in building support programs and district support programs for the 2010-11 school year, and they also approved an overall $16,000 decrease in building budgets based on anticipated enrollment numbers. Next year’s budget does leave room for possible increases in salary and benefits.
Superintendent Ron Saari said he anticipates the board taking official action on the proposed budget cuts at next month’s regularly scheduled meeting.