Superintendent Jim Ruse presented budget ideas to the Gallatin Board of Education which have been under continuous discussion for the past three or four months during its regular meeting held May 13.
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The state’s school funding formula was left intact by the state legislators at the end of their 2010 session this spring, he said, but there is no state money available to support K-12 education. The governor, who must sign a balanced budget, is now in the position of making up the difference by cutting 2% this year and 4% next year from the state’s school budget.
"In reality that may be more like a 6% cut in revenue for next school year," Mr. Ruse said.
As an example, he said, transportation had been funded 75% by the state and 25% local. The school will be lucky to get 45% funded by the state the next year. Parents As Teachers was cut from $39 million to $13 million and there may be more cuts in August. The difference for local school districts will have to come in the way of cuts or a budget deficit.
"Big, big changes are happening," he said. "It’s sad financial news and it leaves schools playing a guessing game for 2010-2011."
Bus routes were discussed and the board decided there was no reasonable way to reduce the number of miles the routes cover. To do so would mean some of the children would have to ride the bus for over an hour.
Although summer school for Gallatin was canceled due to uncertainty about funding, drivers’ education funding was kept intact. Students pay a $50 fee to help with fuel costs. The fee covers about 15% of the total cost. About 15 students enrolled in the drivers’ ed course.
The board heard a report on summer projects. The sidewalk between the elementary and high school was raised about 14 inches. The gym doors were replaced.
Board policies received a fourth reading. The policies are provided by the MSBA. They will be in place by the new school year.
The year-to-date ledger report was heard and bills in the amount of $225,735 were approved for payment.