Lawrence school district officials won’t spend more than $96.9 million during the 2004-2005 school year.

School board members unanimously adopted a budget for the school year during Monday night’s meeting. No Lawrence residents attended the hearing to comment on the budget.

The new levy for Lawrence schools will be 47.647 mills, which is .001 mills more than the 47.646 mill levy of a year ago. A mill is $1 in tax for every $1,000 in assessed valuation.

Board members commented on being able to adjust the budget as a way to keep the mill levy steady.

“I know from what I read in other newspapers that not everyone is in this position,” board member Austin Turney said. “So we can be happy that we are.”

The district had to find $1.7 million in reductions to keep the budget and mill levy steady.

District officials also estimate a loss of $805,000 in funding because of declining enrollment.

The district came up with $910,000 in staffing and items it wanted to add to the budget, such as a classified-reclassification study and library materials. The board also wanted to make sure the district could cover insurance increases.

To deal with the additions and the reduction in funds, the school district:

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• Cut 12 elementary teachers.
• Reduced custodial staff by two positions.
• Eliminated the district’s purchasing director and a media clerk.
• Increased building rental fees.

Salary increases for faculty and staff members remain an unknown. The board decided to wait to determine salary increases until the Kansas Supreme Court and Legislature determine funding levels for education. The Kansas Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments in late summer on a lawsuit that challenges the state’s system for funding public education.