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District officials said the budget for the 2004-05 school year shows a $9.9 million gap if the district is to offer the same programs next school year as it has for the current school year. The budget gap is caused by state-imposed revenue limits that restrict the amount the district can levy from the local property tax.
Revenue limits let the district increase its annual budget by about 2.5 percent; however, the state allows teacher compensation to increase by at least 3.8 percent through the Qualified Economic Offer. Staff compensation accounts for over 85 percent of the district's entire budget.
"State revenue limits and the QEO essentially place the district in the position of having to cut from our same service budget year-after-year-after-year," said Superintendent Art Rainwater. State law requires a referendum to exceed the revenue caps.
School officials said a balanced budget will be presented to the public on Friday, March 12. The Board of Education (BOE) will then hold three public forums for community input:
The BOE will ultimately determine what cuts are needed to balance the budget and comply with revenue limits.
It is anticipated that preliminary BOE approval of the 2004-05 budget will occur in June. The final budget and certification of the local tax levy will occur in October.
The opportunity for public input on this year's budget began about the same time as the current school year - in September of 2003. Since then, 14 budget seminars have been conducted by Carol Carstensen, BOE Finance and Operations chairwoman, and other BOE members. The seminars explained and detailed all spending and personnel functions in the district. Those attending the sessions have had the opportunity to ask questions about the budget and better understand why the district faces a budget gap annually.