Even if state funding stays the same, the Lawrence school district will have to make cuts to accommodate the increased cost of health care, property insurance and salary increases.

Monday night, Supt. Randy Weseman told the school board to expect an increase of $1 million for health insurance, a 25 percent to 30 percent increase in property insurance, about $8,000 more in postage expenses because of the 3-cent postage increase that takes effect this summer, and yet-to-be-negotiated salary increases.

“Cuts are needed to keep providing services and offer salary compensation to our employees,” he said.

Weseman presented the board with four general options for the 2002-2003 budget based on plans discussed in the Kansas Legislature.

 A cut of $303 per student would leave the district with a $4.4 million shortfall.

 A cut of $158 per student would create a $2.4 million shortfall.

 No change from the current funding of $3,870 per student would still create a shortfall of more than $237,000.

 An increase of $10 per student would create a shortfall of $98,706.

“We’re roughly looking at  just to kind of keep doing business how we’ve been doing it and to provide health insurance for our people  cuts probably in the range of ($1.5 to $1.7) million without talking about salaries,” Weseman said.

In other business, the board voted:

 7-0 to move high school intramurals to the Phase I cuts, which will definitely take place. Junior high cheerleading was moved to Phase 2, or possible, cuts.

 6-1 to renew Kansas Association of School Board membership for 2002-2003, at a cost of $10,315, and to renew KASB Legal Assistance Fund membership at a cost of $900. Scott Morgan cast the dissenting vote.

 7-0 for a $33,000 Harris Construction bid to repair Riverside School, which was struck by a truck Feb. 7. The cost of repair will be paid by the man who drove into the school.