A 1 percent across-the-board cut could cost the Lawrence public school district as much as $320,000 in the current fiscal year.
A potential 1 percent reduction in state funding to Kansas public education may prompt greater scrutiny of expenditures in the Lawrence school district, the district's budget chief said Thursday.
"We'll look at expenses, look at personnel, ... look at what we're required to purchase in all areas," said Jim Freeman, executive director of business.
He said no emergency action was anticipated by the district.
"I need to know a little more detail to know what to expect," Freeman said.
On Wednesday, Gov. Bill Graves responded to flagging tax collections by proposing a 1 percent, or $44 million, reduction in the current fiscal year budget. He ordered Cabinet secretaries managing agencies under the governor's control to prepare for cuts and warned all other agencies he would ask the 2000 Legislature to apply the 1 percent cutback across the board.
If lawmakers comply, the Kansas Department of Education budget could face a $22.5 million reduction in general fund dollars in the 1999-2000 budget. That would slash state funding to Lawrence public schools by $31 per pupil in the current fiscal year.
Freeman said the governor's recommended "midcourse correction" would cost the Lawrence district approximately $320,000.
But that might not be the end of pain.
"It could have an impact next year," Freeman said.
The 1999 Legislature allocated $3,770 for each public elementary, junior high and high school student in the 1999-2000 academic year. Legislators also committed to boosting the figure by $50 to $3,820 in the 2000-01 academic year.
Freeman speculated that continued state budget woes would prompt lawmakers to amend their pledge to add that $50 per pupil to the school finance formula.
-- Tim Carpenter's phone message number is 832-7155. His e-mail address is tcarpenter@ljworld.com.
No comments
Commenting is turned off for this story.