By Ryan Storz
The Crawford County R-1 School District is facing a projected $420,000 in lost revenues as work begins on the budget for the 2010-2011 school year, but the worst may be on the way in 2011-2012.
Dr. Tom Sharp, superintendent of the district, said that they are anticipating $326,000 less in the coming budget.
The district came out in the black last year, which Sharp said will help absorb some of the loss for the upcoming budget.
Sharp first brought the news of the revenue shortfalls and budget cuts at the school board meeting on Mar. 18.
A new budget has to be entered by June 30. Sharp will step down from his position on July 1. He has accepted a job offer from the Dexter, MO school district, but will work throughout the spring on Bourbon’s next budget.
Big cuts in programs and personnel are not expected. Sharp said the district plans to find money in cost replacement and by freezing base salaries. He said his replacement, Patricia Thompson, will make less than him, as will the new elementary school principal.
The board voted to allow faculty to move on the salary schedule.
Sharp said the poor economy has been the cause of lost revenues and that the 2011-2012 budget could be in even worse shape with declining state revenues. He said other revenue streams the school usually collects from have shrunk, including sales tax and gambling receipts. He said transportation revenue has been cut twice.
The board will be able to provide some cushion with their reserve funds, but have to be cautious.
“You can’t just use all your reserves,” said Sharp. “Once they’re gone, they’re gone. Some schools have decided to try and use up to half of their reserves.”
Sharp said the board will work to make sure revenues match expenditures and they come out with the best, balanced budget possible.
“We have to figure out ways to cut our operating costs since the state won’t be able to deliver,” he said.