Cuts not enough to plug BR deficit

BY STACI WILSON

Blue Ridge is finding savings in all areas of the district budget but the cuts aren’t enough to plug the $1 million-plus projected deficit for the coming school year.

The board is expected to adopt the district’s preliminary budget at its May 23 meeting.

Business manager Loren Small reported that real estate transfer taxes were slow in the past year and he expected that trend to continue. However, property assessments in the district rose in the past year said Small.

Other budget hits include the loss of $614,000 in state basic education funding, as well as $249,000 in educational block grant funds. A portion of the block grants was used to fund the K4 program. Those funds have been entirely cut in the governor’s proposed budget.

Earlier this year, the board voted to reduce taxes in the district by one mill.

Athletic director Jill Hoffman reported the budget for sports cut out unnecessary items but included several items needed to meet PIAA mandates for uniforms and upgrade bats for baseball and softball teams.

Donna Tewes said the technology department would see considerable savings through the utilization of an energy grant the district received to replace equipment and hardware.

“We’re buying less but still equipping classrooms with everything they need,” said Tewes. Upgrades include replacing lab computers with Thin Clients which work off the district server instead of a hard drive which increases energy savings.

Acting Special Education Director Barbara McCain said an overall reduction of 47 percent was made in the department, which includes over $200,000 in savings due to learning support class cuts.

McCain said transitioning five Blue Ridge Life Skills students from Elk Lake back to the district was a “work in progress” but she estimated a potential savings of $22,000 to the district.

Later in the meeting, the board approved the secondary life skills program.

The middle and high school budgets were trimmed by $72,000 reported Principal Matthew Nebzydoski, with $44,000 coming from the high school budget and $28,000 in cuts from the middle school.

Cuts were made to what the district will contribute for school trips. Transportation costs will be covered but students will be responsible for covering admission costs associated with events.

The elementary school budget was reduced by $23,000 said Principal Matthew Button. Most of the savings come from a reduction in classroom items.

In addition to cuts, the district could also see savings with the implementation of the energy project in the schools.

Several of the changes proposed by Johnson Controls, who conducted the district-wide energy audit, will be handled in house.

Hall said that over the course of 20 years, the district would see $3.7 million in savings from the upgrades.

He also discussed creating a bond issue to handle the project costs. Although complicated, Hall said the bond issue would work to upgrade technology and save money by taking $2.3 million in expenses out of the capital projects budget.

“This is what sustains us over the next five years,” Hall said.

Harold Empett was elected to serve as the board treasurer for the 2011-12 school year at an annual salary of $1500. The treasurer is the only paid board position.

Leave requests were granted to Lisa Welsch, Judith McKee, Mary Clinton and Kristen Heller.

The board approved a policy prohibiting the use of cell phones by school transportation providers.