Connellsville wrestles with budget deficit
CONNELLSVILLE – The Connellsville Area School District may be faced with multiple cutbacks in staffing and programs if the state fails to increase educational subsidies to balance its 2004 operating budget. “Right now I’m looking for suggestions (as to how to equalize the spending and revenue figures),” said William Harper, district business manager.
The spending plan indicates a $3.19 million deficit, according to a draft of the tentative plan introduced Tuesday during a special meeting of the district board of directors.
Harper said that despite inquiries by the state’s 501 school districts for direction on what to expect in the way of financial assistance for the upcoming year or a proposed date of passage, little information is filtering back from the governor’s office or the state legislature.
“They never let us plan ahead,” he said. “We are always waiting for them to pass their budget.”
The district is required to adopt a tentative spending plan by the end of May and file its adopted fiscal plan with the state Department of Education by June 30.
The legislature and governor have signed off on some of the state spending plan, but the education budget remains in limbo, causing some school districts to wait for action at the state level before making local decisions, said Harper.
According to the tentative plan, under the approved and signed state budget, the district would receive less than one-third of its past allotment. In a second state proposal, the district would receive less than $560,000.
“The best case scenario at this point would be if (the legislature would allocate) last year’s amount,” said Harper, adding the figure would still reflect a hefty shortfall.
The district could realize $6 million in additional state funding with the implementation of “categorical programs” such as full-day kindergarten, preschool programs, and classroom size reductions, but the governor’s proposal does not allocate funding for construction to accommodate the increase of students, only operating costs.
Director Francis Mongell said that the district could facilitate such programs and garner the funding if it would consolidate some of the student population and operate in a more prudent manner.
“If we would move the ninth grade to the senior high and the sixth grade to the junior high schools, we would have sufficient space to implement the programs,” said Mongell. “We have to develop a plan so we are not throwing good money after bad.”
Harper, meanwhile, said the budget deficit could be trimmed through staff retirements.
“The board may want to consider not replacing some of those who do retire,” he said.
According to figures, 49 members of the staff are eligible for retirement with another 45 able to opt for early retirement through the 25-years of service at age 55 program.
One administrator, teacher and secretary have notified the district of their respective intentions to leave at the end of the school year.
Other options to cut spending, offered Harper, is to place a moratorium on any further enhancement of the district’s technology program and cut back on equipment purchases for athletic programs.
Whether the district can implement a local tax increase to defray the deficit also remains contingent upon state action.
Within the governor’s plan, a property tax reduction is being proposed, which would cut additional district revenues.
The state plan also calls for any tax increase by the district to be put on a referendum and voted upon by those slated to pay the additional amounts.
“Right now, we’re in a quagmire,” said Harper.
The board meets May 14 in regular session.