Document text
SUNNY Temp: 89 °F Wind: NNW at 12 mph Tuesday, June 3, 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 May 30, 2003 Schools to OK budget before funds are allocated By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune As the fiscal year draws to a close, school districts are being forced to approve 2003-04 budgets without reliable information from Salem. "It’s like everybody else; it’s a shot in the dark," said Prospect Superintendent Don Alexander. "We don’t know how accurate the numbers are." School districts receive the bulk of their funding from the state, but legislators have yet to decide how much funding will be allocated to districts for the coming year. Advertisement School systems must approve and adopt their budgets before the fiscal year ends June 30, and many school boards have put off the process until the last possible minute. According to Central Point Business Director Vicki Robinson, the district may be forced to overhaul its budget when the Legislature finally decides how much money will be allocated to public education. Right now, estimates fluctuate between $4.5 billion and $5.05 billion statewide. "I just took a dart board and picked a number," joked Robinson. "It’s a really sad situation. We’re talking about jobs being lost." The Central Point district approved a $28.2 million general operating budget this month based on conservative funding estimates. That’s down 4 percent from the district’s 2002-03 budget, $29.4 million. More than 40 positions were cut last year, a decision that also eliminated the elementary music program. In 2003-04, Central Point will balance the books by cutting five district employees, including one administrator, and funding for field trips. "It could have been much worse," Robinson noted. Officials in both Prospect and Rogue River also have been gearing up for major funding reductions. Last week Prospect’s school budget committee approved a $1.79 million general operating budget — slightly less than 2002-03’s $1.84 million budget. Administrators plan to use $65,000 in savings to help plug the gap. Alexander said the district won’t be forced to cut programs or positions as long as funding from Salem doesn’t decrease. Rogue River last week approved an $8.16 million budget that won’t eliminate programs or result in the layoff of district employees. Business Manager David Marshall said there are cuts, but they aren’t too severe. Seven vacant positions will go unfilled, funding in many areas will be reduced and stipends for coaches will be eliminated. "We’re in reasonably good shape coming into this year," he added. Other districts aren’t as lucky. Based on estimates from the Legislature, Phoenix-Talent administrators say, they will be forced to slash as much as $1.75 million from a $17.9 million 2003-04 budget. The 2002-03 budget was $19.1 million. Superintendent Ben Bergreen said the board hasn’t decided what areas will be cut. He said the district may work with the employees union to shave up to 10 days in 2003-04. School boards are expected to adopt budgets officially in June. At each district, a public hearing that gives residents an opportunity to speak up will take place before board members cast their votes. 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 SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times