School Board examining how to cut budget
Boundary County School District and every public school in Idaho are facing something that has never occurred in Idaho’s history—next year’s budget is smaller than previous years.
State and federal funding was cut 7.5-percent for Idaho public schools earlier this year by the Idaho Legislature.
Almost every seat was taken in the Boundary Country Middle School Library when the Boundary County School District #101 Board held a budget input meeting Wednesday.
“None of us really like this,” said Don Bartling, Boundary County School District Superintendent. “We are going into uncharted waters and we need your help.”
“We appreciate all the employees of the district and schools,” said Bartling. “We ask that we work together. We want what is best for the kids.”
Currently, the district needs to cut $450,000-$500,000 from the 2010-2011 school year budget. The numbers may change because the current school year is not finished yet.
Possible cuts include not replacing retiring teachers, not holding classes the week of Thanksgiving, no kindergarten noon buses, curriculum cuts, reducing the temperature in buildings and no tuberculosis testing.
Transportation is also a big expense that is being examined, particularly extracurricular activity transportation.
“Everything is on the table,” said Melanie Staples, board chairman. Cuts are “not written in stone, no decisions yet.”
“We do what to hear your ideas,” said Staples.
Mr. DePriest, high school physical education teacher and sports coach, asked everybody to propose something that will save money — to come up with “nickel and dime savings.”
DePreist suggested not sanding and varnishing the gym floors every year, which costs approximately $8,000 per year. Another suggestion was for kids to buy their own locks for their gym lockers.
“We all need to think outside the box,” said Darrell Kerby, former Bonners Ferry mayor and proxy for Idaho Sen. Shawn Keough. “This isn’t last year or the year before — this year is completely different.”