Nearly 100 people packed the Lawrence school board meeting room Monday to support student programs such as music and athletics that had been on the chopping block.

As it turned out, their pleas weren’t necessary.

Before the public was given a chance to speak, board members ruled out cutting sixth-grade band and orchestra and athletics, including subvarsity coaching positions and golf and gymnastics programs, cuts that had been proposed by administrators.

Instead, the board opted to rely heavily on administrative cuts to make up for a gap in its budget.

“I think we’re all relieved we didn’t have to pit music against sports or make any decisions like that,” board President Austin Turney said.

The board was looking for cuts to offset a $669,120 decrease in state aid due to declining enrollment and $150,000 increase in property insurance and transportation costs. Health insurance costs also are expected to increase, though those numbers have not been set.

Board members also added several budget items for next year, including 11 teachers over the base student-to-teacher ratio to keep class sizes lower, $133,000 for classified employee salaries and $118,000 for information technology improvements.

The board’s list of cuts included a purchasing director, night maintenance supervisor, media clerk and custodians. It also included several administrative department budget decreases and the reallocation of federal money initially intended for special education.

Lawrence High School students, from front left, Megan Heacock, 17, and Kate Truscello, 17, listen to the Lawrence school board go through its proposed budget at district headquarters. Heacock is an LHS band member, and Truscello is an orchestra member; both wanted to show their support Monday for the district's music program budget.

Board members also plan to increase building rental fees for community organizations.

The district also is saving $579,098 by not renewing approximately 16 teacher contracts due to the declining enrollment. At least 10 teachers already have indicated they plan to retire or resign, so the final number of layoffs likely will be less than 10.

Board member Sue Morgan said that although the cuts didn’t directly affect student programs, years of cutting other services — such as custodians — would have an effect on the district.

“I know it’s a little harder for the average person to make the link, but trust me, they do affect what your kids do in their classes every day,” she said.

The decision not to cut student programs drew a standing ovation from audience members, many of whom indicated they were in attendance to support the band and orchestra program.

“I’m really tickled you looked at administrative costs first,” said Lee Howe, who has a sophomore daughter at Free State High School.

6News video: District looks to city for possible budget help Popular programs face school budget ax (3-28-04)

Brogan Milke, a sixth-grade violinist at Schwegler School, was among those supporting the music programs.

“I’ve looked forward to being in orchestra since I was 5 or 6,” he said. “I hope other kids have a chance to get a head start on band and orchestra like I have.”

The board’s decisions represent a worst-case scenario. If the Legislature increases its per-pupil allocation of state funding, board members could decide to reinstate some of the cut budget items or consider other funding requests.

Supt. Randy Weseman urged those in attendance to contact legislators from throughout the state to support one of several legislative proposals that would increase state education spending.

“That certainly would minimize the amount of cutting we have to do,” he said.