Sisters schools looking at more cuts

The Sisters school board Thursday directed Superintendent Jim Golden to reduce the 2011-2012 budget by approximately $200,000. This is after $1 million was already pared from the district in the budget recommended by the budget committee.

Board chair Chris Jones characterized the current dismal economic situation by noting that "the statistic that really floored me...was that the free and reduced lunch at the elementary school has doubled in the last two years with more than 50 percent of the kids receiving free and reduced lunch."

Jones explained that the district has lost money due to the decrease in state funding for education, the loss of federal stimulus money, and a declining student population. In the face of this declining income, the PERS retirement system is requiring the equivalent of a 10 percent "tax" on all employee wages to make up for PERS investment loss in the stock market crash.

Jones noted that "...over the last several months (Golden) ... was able to cut $1 million from the personnel budget. That is really quite a shocking number that represents quite a lot of heartache..."

Golden began this year's budget cycle by declaring that he would insist on a full school year of 189 days (last year, six days were cut from the school schedule). He also indicated that he would strongly resist any program cuts. To meet these commitments, Golden added back the six days, and he added back the obligations to staff that were deferred from last year's budget.

These add-back costs, combined with the PERS "tax" and unemployment costs, completely wiped out the $1 million savings. The resulting budget gap remains at $900,000. All indications from the state are that the 2012-2013 budget will not increase from the current level. Further cuts are still possible in both school years.

The district has a $1.3 million reserve fund. After significant discussion, the board wants to try to cut another $200,000 from the budget this year and pull the remaining deficit of $700,000 from the reserve fund. This would leave $600,000 to help cover next year's anticipated shortfall.

By Jones' calculations, each $500,000 cut roughly equals seven teachers or 14 school days.

Negotiations with the teacher's union were to continue on Tuesday, June 7. It was anticipated by some that the contract could be finalized this week.

The union has indicated that they understand and sympathize with the board's challenge. They agree that Golden's catch-phrase, "I either have to pay people less or pay less people" is most likely true.

Both sides indicate a willingness to explore options "outside the box." It has been suggested that the district eliminate all parent conference days, finding another way to communicate via School Loop or email or other methods.

Creative ways of taking cuts now, but allowing the teachers' income to improve when the district's finances improved, are being explored.

The union indicates that they are pleased to have Golden across the table. They feel that having lived in Sisters, having taught in Sisters schools, and having had children in Sisters schools gives him a good perspective on what the union feels is a unique and special relationship between the Sisters school system and the citizens of Sisters

Country.

In other district news:

Rand Runco and Gary Hedin of Sisters High School made a presentation to the board highlighting the need to find an interim solution to funding school sports for the 2011-2012 school year. All parties acknowledged that last year's fundraising fell significantly short of expectations. While a community partnership between Sisters School District, SPRD and the community has garnered interest, it is clear that this program will not be ready to cover the 2011-2012 school year.

There will be a meeting June 27 of this joint steering committee. Board members Don Hedrick and Cheryl Stewart and Superintendent Golden will represent Sisters School District. The subcommittee will also include two members from SPRD and three community

members.

The board took time at the beginning of the meeting to honor and toast outgoing 12-year school board member Jeff Smith. Smith was presented with a plaque from the school district and the board commending his long service to the community. Several members of the community at large praised Smith in his role as a board member, and a number of board member children and grandchildren read Smith a poem: "Mr. Smith In The Eyes Of A Child."