$1.12 million savings is half of projected deficit



The Lincoln County School District and the Lincoln County Education Association on Friday agreed to a contract reduction of 12 workdays during the 2010-11 school year. This is just one step the school district is taking in response to an estimated $2.5 million budget deficit for the coming school year as a result of state and federal revenue cuts.

If the economy continues on its present track, there could be additional mid-year budget cuts, bringing the total deficit for the next school year to as much as $4.5 million, district officials say.

“Even in the best of years, it’s always a difficult balancing act,” said LCSD Superintendent Tom Rinearson. “We must provide a quality education to our students, while meeting state and federal requirements and honoring our contractual agreements with teachers and support staff. I’m pleased that we were able to come to an agreement with our teachers and the union leadership, but this is merely a short-term response to an ongoing problem. It is by no means a solution to our financial problems.”

By including all district staff – licensed, administrative, classified and confidential – in the 12-day work reduction, the school district will save approximately $1.12 million, or less than half of projected beginning year deficits.

Changes to the 2010-11 school calendars reflecting the 12-day reduction are being drafted this week and will be presented to the LCSD Board of Directors for approval. In reworking the calendar, the overriding goal is to lessen the impact on students by creating minimal disruption to the school year. One way to do this is by placing the non-work days around existing holidays and breaks, said Assistant Superintendent Sara Johnson. However, one consequence of including too many of these days in a single week is a possible increase in unemployment claims, which goes counter to the school district’s efforts to save money. The district is consulting with an unemployment specialist to ensure that the 12 days are being built into the calendar to lessen any negative educational or financial impact.

“Even though we agreed to cut 12 work days, that doesn’t necessarily translate into 12 days of school lost,” Johnson said. “It’s possible that we can cut some school improvement days or conference days, but that is something we are researching right now.”

Although calendar revisions have not been completed, the previously approved and publicized dates for student registration and the first day of school for administrators, teachers, staff and students remain unchanged. For most students, the first day of school is Tuesday, Sept. 7, but that date varies, depending on the student’s school and grade level. School calendars are posted online at www.lincoln.k12.or.us (click on “District Calendars” located in the left hand column).

Other actions being considered to close the gap between revenue and expenditures include cutting discretionary spending, freezing salaries and health insurance caps, laying off teachers and staff, reallocating certain funds, using cash reserves and eliminating or reducing some programs. Rinearson has developed scenarios and recommendations to present to school board members during their board retreat planned for July 30-31.