School trips back in budget for now

Douglas County School District's budget woes have taken a brighter turn, though state cuts may be larger next year.

On Tuesday, school board members lifted a hold on school field trips they had placed in August.

"A truly educational field trip is worth the money," said Minden Elementary principal Ken Stoll. "Field trips solidify learning."

The board voted to leave field trips up to individual principals after Chief Financial Officer Holly Luna reported a potential $1.1 million surplus from unexpected revenue and additional underspending.

Though the news was well-received, district officials still recommended two reductions, anticipating a 14-percent budget cut next year.

"We need to prioritize and zero in," said Superintendent Carol Lark. "We're not going to be blind-sided. We will be prepared."

Cut was $32,000 worth of professional services and $87,000 worth of bus routes.

The district will now hire specialists, such as occupational therapists, by contract only, part-time, rather than hiring full-time specialists. Additionally, some bus routes have been eliminated or consolidated with others.

In August, school board members cut $1.2 million from their $35.5 million budget, trying to meet growing state-wide budget reductions caused by continuously decreasing tax revenues.

Attrition of full-time employees, leaving some vacancies unfilled and combining positions, accounted for most of the board's reductions. They also cut new text book purchases.

They had considered cutting athletics, having athletes pay to play sports, or cutting travel to nonleague games, but those options were taken off the table Tuesday night. Site principals will now have discretion to cut travel costs where feasible.

Board members also approved transferring $500,000 from their self-insurance fund to the general fund. The district needs the buffer against a teacher unions complaint insisting that an early retirement incentive, which was cut earlier in the year for a savings of about $300,000, be reinstated.

Furthermore, district officials estimated a $1.1 million shortfall in their retiree state health benefit subsidy program, a shortfall which would cancel out the potential surplus.

"These legislative items need to be taken care of at the legislative level before we can get back to the business of educating children," Luna said on Thursday. "They need to decide if they are in the business of educating children or in the business of unfunded mandates."

Although district officials were reassuring Tuesday night, board members expressed frustration with the state and fear of the future.

"It's frustrating not being able to make informed decisions," said board trustee Tom Moore. "The state's numbers are constantly fluctuating. It's like trying to hit a moving target."