The Lawrence school district’s budget committee Tuesday endorsed $2.8 million in fee increases and budget cuts.

It constitutes Phase I of a two-part plan to identify up to $5 million in adjustments Supt. Randy Weseman says he believes could be necessary to meet expenses and award teachers a pay raise in 2002-2003.

Teachers, principals and administrators on the committee reluctantly recommended that the Lawrence school board vote Monday to set in motion $1.8 million in cuts and raise $1 million in fees.

Weseman praised the panel’s willingness to make unpopular choices.

“This is the most divisive, painful thing any organization will have to go through,” he said.

Phase II, which still is taking shape, will be a prioritized list of $2.2 million in budget amendments kept handy if the 2002 Legislature undermines state funding to public school districts.

The committee endorsed elimination of 13 classroom teaching positions and trimming of the guidance, fine arts, special education, gifted, library and nursing staffs. Advocates of these district programs haven’t given up yet. They’ll be out in force at the 7 p.m. Monday board meeting at district headquarters, 110 McDonald Drive.

Katy Buck, who supervises the district’s nursing staff, said she was unhappy with the committee’s endorsement of a plan to replace some registered nurses in schools with health aides, who have minimal training.

Buck said aides wouldn’t have the education and experience to make the kind of life-and-death decisions required of school nurses.

“Do you want a health care worker who doesn’t know diddly-squat?” Buck said.

Other cuts likely to be challenged:

Elimination of sixth-grade band and orchestra programs to cut seven jobs and save $245,000.

Dropping the student crisis-intervention program in all secondary and some elementary schools to save $140,000.

Jettisoning two full-time and four part-time jobs held by staff working with gifted students for a savings of $78,000.

The committee opposes an idea discussed by the school board to shut down the $212,000 all-day kindergarten program in five schools with a concentration of at-risk children.

The sweeping revenue package backed by the committee already has the tentative blessing of the school board.

Under the plan, the district would introduce a $230,000 pay-to-ride bus system for students living less than 2.5 miles from school. Adoption of a $140,000 pay-to-participate program for sports and cheerleading would go forward.

In addition, $330,000 would be generated by doubling the textbook rental fee and tripling the student activity fee. New fees for field-trip transportation, instructional materials and technology would add $230,000 to district coffers.

The head-spinning budget process has taken a toll on committee members.

“It sure feels our elementary schools are getting hit pretty hard right now,” said Wayne Kruse, an elementary teacher and president of the union representing Lawrence teachers.

Joe Snyder, principal of Free State High School, said the adjustments cut as deeply at the secondary schools.

“The pain is something we’re all going to feel,” Snyder said.