MONROE - Monroe school officials are considering a revised budget-cutting plan that includes an additional $796,768 in reductions for next year beyond what was initially projected. Among the proposed cuts are 9 additional teaching posts and 4.5 additional support staff positions.
Those cuts were not included in an initial list of potential cuts outlined before voters rejected a four-year $8 million non-recurring referendum April 5.
Now school district administrators are proposing eliminating 21 positions for next school year (14.4 teaching positions and 6.9 support staff positions). Of the 16 teachers retiring from the district at the end of the year, 10 of the positions will not be refilled.
"One of the questions being brought up is why we are bringing up new cuts that were not on the cut lists before the referendum," said Monroe School District Superintendent Larry Brown. "The short answer is the list didn't take into account a $700 reduction per student from the state."
The board is expected to approve a final cut list at its next meeting in May. Brown said that administrators met and wanted to develop a proposal that would not eliminate programs.
"We will not be able to continue to do that in the years beyond now," Brown said.
Gov. Scott Walker's proposed budget cuts state aid to school districts by about $900 million, and reduces school districts' revenue limits by 5.5 percent, which prevents schools from using property taxes to make up the difference.
Business Manager Olson said the state budget proposal that slashes state aid and revenue limits could impact the district by $1.8 million.
Monroe teachers agreed to a two-year contract extension that includes a freeze on the salary schedule and salary steps, and increased contributions for health care premiums and retirement. District leaders said that will save the district a minimum of $1.4 million in the first year and $1.85 million in the second year of the extension. Still, it's not enough to offset an expected shortfall, officials said.
"We were fortunate in a sense because we have a number of retirements," Olson said. "The reality is that 21 positions are going to be cut for 2011-12."
The district first projected a deficit of $1.6 million for 2011-12. Without referendum approval, the district projected deficits of about $2.3 million in the 2012-13 school year; $3 million in the 2013-14 school year; and $3.6 million in 2014-15.
The additional cuts being considered due to retirements, layoffs, and non-continuing contracts for next year include: Three elementary teachers, an elementary literacy coach, a middle school teacher, one high school technology education teacher, a high school careers instructor, 0.4 positions in business education, one guidance counselor, three virtual school teachers, one elementary special education teacher, and one band teacher.
The district has pledged to make $494,652 in cuts in the 2011-12 school year. Officials also have approved cuts of 5 percent, or $24,500, to co-curricular activities at the high school.
The district also is expected to slash the technology budget by $200,000 for next year and cut the maintenance budget by $100,000. Other reductions expected for 2011-12 include eliminating the ninth hour program at the middle school, eliminating elementary coordination extended contracts and eliminating overloads at the high school and middle school. The other cuts are three aides, one hearing impaired interpreter, 0.4 playground supervisor and 2.5 custodial positions. If the school board makes all of the proposed cuts, the district would still have a $635,640 deficit next year, Olson said.
Olson said the district could consider cutting another $125,000 from the technology budget.
Another concern is the cost of health insurance. Brown said health care premiums for employees in the district are increasing 14.3 percent.
Olson said that is an $800,000 cost and the board could make a health care insurance change. If the change is made by Oct. 1, Olson said the district could have about $600,000 in play and if a change is made Jan. 1, the savings would be three-fourths of that.
"I really think that needs to be a bigger priority," board member Brian Keith said.
Another option Olson said could be considered is implementing the cuts and using a portion of the fund balance to offset a deficit for next year. The district is projecting to spend about $1.08 million less than it set for this year. However, the district expects that revenues could be $500,000 short for this year.
"The open enrollment revenues for this year are down $300,000," Olson said. "We try to be honest with the budget and come in 3 to 5 percent under," Olson said of what is budgeted.
District leaders are expecting to get Gov. Walker's final budget numbers in late May.
"I'm not optimistic that there will be any relief in the budget," Brown said.
Those cuts were not included in an initial list of potential cuts outlined before voters rejected a four-year $8 million non-recurring referendum April 5.
Now school district administrators are proposing eliminating 21 positions for next school year (14.4 teaching positions and 6.9 support staff positions). Of the 16 teachers retiring from the district at the end of the year, 10 of the positions will not be refilled.
"One of the questions being brought up is why we are bringing up new cuts that were not on the cut lists before the referendum," said Monroe School District Superintendent Larry Brown. "The short answer is the list didn't take into account a $700 reduction per student from the state."
The board is expected to approve a final cut list at its next meeting in May. Brown said that administrators met and wanted to develop a proposal that would not eliminate programs.
"We will not be able to continue to do that in the years beyond now," Brown said.
Gov. Scott Walker's proposed budget cuts state aid to school districts by about $900 million, and reduces school districts' revenue limits by 5.5 percent, which prevents schools from using property taxes to make up the difference.
Business Manager Olson said the state budget proposal that slashes state aid and revenue limits could impact the district by $1.8 million.
Monroe teachers agreed to a two-year contract extension that includes a freeze on the salary schedule and salary steps, and increased contributions for health care premiums and retirement. District leaders said that will save the district a minimum of $1.4 million in the first year and $1.85 million in the second year of the extension. Still, it's not enough to offset an expected shortfall, officials said.
"We were fortunate in a sense because we have a number of retirements," Olson said. "The reality is that 21 positions are going to be cut for 2011-12."
The district first projected a deficit of $1.6 million for 2011-12. Without referendum approval, the district projected deficits of about $2.3 million in the 2012-13 school year; $3 million in the 2013-14 school year; and $3.6 million in 2014-15.
The additional cuts being considered due to retirements, layoffs, and non-continuing contracts for next year include: Three elementary teachers, an elementary literacy coach, a middle school teacher, one high school technology education teacher, a high school careers instructor, 0.4 positions in business education, one guidance counselor, three virtual school teachers, one elementary special education teacher, and one band teacher.
The district has pledged to make $494,652 in cuts in the 2011-12 school year. Officials also have approved cuts of 5 percent, or $24,500, to co-curricular activities at the high school.
The district also is expected to slash the technology budget by $200,000 for next year and cut the maintenance budget by $100,000. Other reductions expected for 2011-12 include eliminating the ninth hour program at the middle school, eliminating elementary coordination extended contracts and eliminating overloads at the high school and middle school. The other cuts are three aides, one hearing impaired interpreter, 0.4 playground supervisor and 2.5 custodial positions. If the school board makes all of the proposed cuts, the district would still have a $635,640 deficit next year, Olson said.
Olson said the district could consider cutting another $125,000 from the technology budget.
Another concern is the cost of health insurance. Brown said health care premiums for employees in the district are increasing 14.3 percent.
Olson said that is an $800,000 cost and the board could make a health care insurance change. If the change is made by Oct. 1, Olson said the district could have about $600,000 in play and if a change is made Jan. 1, the savings would be three-fourths of that.
"I really think that needs to be a bigger priority," board member Brian Keith said.
Another option Olson said could be considered is implementing the cuts and using a portion of the fund balance to offset a deficit for next year. The district is projecting to spend about $1.08 million less than it set for this year. However, the district expects that revenues could be $500,000 short for this year.
"The open enrollment revenues for this year are down $300,000," Olson said. "We try to be honest with the budget and come in 3 to 5 percent under," Olson said of what is budgeted.
District leaders are expecting to get Gov. Walker's final budget numbers in late May.
"I'm not optimistic that there will be any relief in the budget," Brown said.