Good news for school funding

Delta County Joint School District #50 is optimistic that K-12 education will be funded at the same level as last year, but that will still leave the school district scrambling to cover a $1.2 million shortfall. The fund balance was used to help cover a $1 million deficit last year.

In addition to making up that shortfall again, the school district is looking at $200,000 in increased PERA (retirement) costs.

Earlier this month, the Joint Budget Committee, which sets the budget for the State of Colorado, recommended that proposed funding cuts to K-12 education be restored, based on an anticipated increase in state revenues.

The district was initially looking at another $650,000 in cuts before that update from the state capitol.

"This is good news for the district if it comes to fruition," said district finance director Terry Kimber. "We have to be cautious, however, as there is still a long way to go before this becomes final with the adoption of the School Finance Act in late April or early May."

A Budget Task Force was not formed for the school district this year. Instead, principals, district staff and accountability members have been asked to come up with ideas for cutting expenditures and increasing revenues. Proposals will be put on the table during a work session with the school board. After weighing the impacts to students and communities, school board members will determine which measures should be incorporated into the 2012-2013 budget.

The budget process culminates with a hearing at the May school board meeting and adoption of the budget at the school board meeting in June. The budget covers the year beginning July 1.

Earlier this spring, the school board adjusted the teacher salary schedule to reflect their 175-day contract. That resulted in a modest salary increase of $170 a year. There is another proposal to make similar adjustments to the classified salary schedule which would result in an increase of 10 cents an hour for secretaries, aides, lunchroom personnel, custodians bus drivers, and other classified staff members.

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