USD 235 budget OK for now

UNIONTOWN -- USD 235 is currently surviving recent budget cuts and delayed state aid payments, but the future could be a different story.

"Starting with the 2012-13 year, if we don't get additional funding or the state to start paying on time, we could have cash flow problems," USD 235 Superintendent Randy Rockhold said. "Because of our cash reserves and contingency, we're alright and we don't have cash flow problems right now."

District officials have made cutbacks in various areas of the budget this year and taken other measures to save money while working with a tight budget, including a spending freeze on certain items.

"We are spending some contingency reserves and spending down some balances and accounts," Rockhold said. "We've frozen spending on incidental things and spending only for things that are unavoidable ... no supplies or equipment, and only repairs that are totally necessary ... things you can't avoid purchasing."

All of these changes could amount to the district saving nearly $500,000 next year. No purchases will be made on new school buses, vehicles, or any type of technology. There will also be no new activities or trips added to the district calendar, according to a story in the January 2010 edition of the Eagle Country News, one of two school newspapers in the district.

The district is spending $69,900 out of its contingency fund, which is normally used for emergencies, and had a carryover from its vocational fund that has been spent down to $28,000 this year, Rockhold said.

USD 235 had to cut some staff members last year due to budget cuts, but has been able to avoid staff reductions this year, Rockhold said.

"We can't make staffing cuts without cutting programs," he said. "All our programs are single-person programs because of our size ... staff have been wonderful in doing everything they can to cut back ... it's bare bones right now."

District officials have been able to keep finances in order this year primarily due to plans that were put in place about five years ago to prepare for future funding cuts, Rockhold said.

Rockhold said a proposal by Gov. Mark Parkinson to raise the state's sales tax to 6.3 percent from 5.3 percent for three years, which legislators are debating this week, is a vital measure for Kansas school districts in that it would stop future cuts in education funding and could lead to more funding for schools.

"I think the question you have to ask is 'Do you want the services that are provided (by schools)?'," Rockhold said. "We have to have the revenue. We cannot endure any more cuts, because then we lose programs."

As another possible cost-cutting move, district officials are considering a plan to reduce the school year by 13 days next year and increase the length of each school day. In the plan, which is not final and is under discussion by the board, the Uniontown Teachers Association, and administration, school hours would likely run from 8 a.m. to 3:35 p.m. each day. Current school hours run from 8:10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

"There is $600 spent each day on diesel," Rockhold said. "Anytime we can cut traveling we can save money."

Rockhold said USD 235 is not part of the Schools for Fair Funding coalition, a group of 74 state school districts that are trying to get the Kansas Supreme Court to reopen a 1999 lawsuit over state funding for education, but that he has discussed the matter with the USD 235 Board of Education in the past.

"We've discussed it and chosen not to be part of that," he said.

Public schools across the state have seen funding cuts as state lawmakers and Gov. Mark Parkinson try to fix a $400 million gap in the state budget. USD 235 operates on a nearly $4 million general fund budget and consists of two schools.