Document text
CLOUDY Temp: 57 °F Wind: SE at 13 mph Tuesday, April 29, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend April 3, 2003 Local districts look at budget options By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune Local school districts are gearing up for massive budget cuts in 2003-04, with measures to deal with it ranging from employee layoffs to charging students money to play sports. Although school officials typically start drafting budgets in April, the state’s nebulous financial situation has delayed the process and frustrated many educators. "No one has come up with any specific answers," said Phoenix-Talent business manager Doug Spani, who added that the district may face a $2 million deficit next year. "We’re all kind of waiting, hoping for better news." School budget committee members usually start meeting in mid-April to hammer out financial details. Fiscal budgets are usually adopted sometime in June, and go into effect July 1. But on Wednesday, several school officials said they plan to delay the process until mid-May in hopes of getting solid information from the state. Central Point, which will delay its budget process, has nevertheless developed four budget scenarios based on various state projections. "At this point, it can change hourly," said Central Point business services director Vicki Robinson, who added that the district may be forced to shave $350,000 in 2003-04. "There are just so many unknowns." Topping the list of unknowns for school officials is just how much money will be available in the 2003-05 State School Fund. According to the governor’s report from March, $5.05 billion will be allocated for the school fund. But Salem legislators are reportedly considering slashing appropriations as low as $4.5 billion — a 12 percent reduction. It’s a worst-case scenario that would translate into a $6.9 million deficit for the Eagle Point School District, which has a $27 million general operating budget. "This is huge," said finance director Greg Lecuyer. "This is very big, and we have no idea about so many different things." Before outlining any cuts, Lecuyer said the district will host a series of open houses to gather community input and help school officials prioritize. Also contributing to the uncertainty is rapid growth of PERS unfunded liability and a possible increase in the cost of insurance for school districts. The Medford school district is operating under the assumption that $5.05 billion will be available in the state budget fund. "As far as we’re concerned at this point, it’s strictly rumors. Right now it’s purely discussion," said Medford finance director Galen Anderson. "That isn’t to say that we aren’t going to have some alternate plans." Anderson said that estimating any deficit for the Medford districts now would be "pure speculation." Unlike most school districts, Medford is working on its 2003-04 fiscal budget and plans to present a balanced budget to committee members by mid-May. "Until you get some hard-and-fast numbers from Salem, you can’t tell what the numbers are. It’s a moving target," said Anderson. "We don’t know how much of a cut we might have to make right now." The Legislature is expected to draft a preliminary budget for the state in mid-April. However, legislators will be working on ways to possibly raise revenues to offset some cuts to education, health services and public safety. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S