LH likely to OK deficit budget
Directors in the Laurel Highlands School District will most likely adopt a tentative 2004-05 budget next month that includes a deficit, though just how large of a deficit is still uncertain. During a finance committee meeting Wednesday, business manager Joyce Estocak presented more than $2.2 million in cost increases that will have to be factored into the new spending plan, while only showing a little more than $750,000 in new revenue.
Estocak proposed tapping the district’s fund balance of $858,921 to offset some of the cost increases, but the district will still have a deficit of between $300,000 and $900,000 based on what is done with Kennedy Elementary School.
If the school is closed, the district would save $347,679 next year and brings the proposed shortfall to $301,775, according to figures presented Wednesday. If directors decide to keep five elementary schools open this fall, the district would have to hire another five to seven teachers to reduce class sizes in certain schools, raising the deficit to $889,454.
Directors have already voted to operate only four elementary schools in the fall, but a final vote to close Kennedy will not happen until July at the earliest.
Estocak and board members noted that the budget is still preliminary and a tentative spending plan is not slated for approval until the May board meeting.
Tom Vernon, committee chairman, said the district is paying $3.7 million in insurance costs and is looking at an estimated $35 million 2004-05 budget.
“This is where we are right now and we have a lot of work to do,” he said. “We can pass a tentative budget and not go any higher, but we can bring it back down. We’re just getting started.”
Estocak said she has very little information about the state basic education subsidy for 2004-05, which has yet to be approved by the state Legislature. Directors agreed to meet every week from the time the tentative budget is approved until the final budget is adopted to review areas where expenses can be trimmed or eliminated.
During a special meeting that followed the budget session, directors heard from a few residents asking the board to reconsider closing Kennedy.
Arlene Bock said that students and teachers need time to adjust, and even suggested that the board wait even another year before closing the school.
“I think you should reconsider, if for nothing else, then think about what you’re doing to the kids,” she said. “Give us some time to find some other options.”
Larry Zebley said Kennedy does need repairs, and asked the board why bids weren’t solicited to find out just how much repairs would cost.
“The bids might be more than you estimate, and they could be in your favor, but I think you should have some concrete information before you close a school.”
Directors voted to accept the retirements of William Simpson, high school history teacher with 38 years of service; Anna Marie Kurilla, second-grade teacher at Hatfield Elementary School with 36 years of service; Carol Krzton, first-grade teacher at Hatfield with 35 years of service; Paulette Smorada, third-grade teacher at Marshall Elementary School with 35 years of service. All of the retirements are effective June 1.
The board voted to abolish four part-time class size reduction teachers and post four full-time class size reduction teacher positions and post a full-time PSSA math coach. They also voted to change the date of their May meeting to May 26, with the work session to begin at 6 p.m. and the meeting to begin at 7:30 p.m.