MOUND CITY - Facing the state deadline of May 1 to decide which teachers would be retained, the USD 346 board met to finalize their budget hoping they anticipated correctly what the state is going to allow for funding.

Board member Cheyenne Beisiegel took the lead at the special meeting held Thursday evening and showed the board the same presentation he showed teachers at an earlier meeting in the day. Beisiegel said that the state legislature is divided into two committees at the House level there to determine what state funding will be next year.

He continued that the House Appropriations Committee (HAC), whose members Beisiegel said were comprised of a good portion of republicans who were not favorable to education,

had a plan as did the Senate Ways and Means Committee (SWM) that seemed to be more favorable to education.

Beisiegel said that the House Appropriations Committee proposed $4,235/student funding or a $198/student cut over last year. That amount equates to USD 346 losing $208,000 in funding over last year.

He compared the HAC numbers to those of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and said their proposal was $4,292/student funding. That amount came in at a $141/student cut over last year for a total cut to the district of $149,000.

"It will most likely be either or a combination of them," said Beisiegel of the committee proposals.

Beisiegel continued that using that HAC proposal of $208,000 state funding cut, $85,000 decrease in enrollment, $41,000 local option budget decrease and a $4,000 cut from special education totaled a $338,000 district deficit.

He explained that although the district had already made $239,000 in cuts in summer programs, monthly expenses of the Blue Mound building and more (see pull out), the district was still $99,000 in the hole.

He then moved to explain the SWM proposal. Besides the $149,000 state funding decrease, the district would also see an enrollment budget decrease of $86,000, the same $41,00 LOB decrease and $4,000 cut in special education funding totaling a decrease of $280,000, leaving the district $41,000 in the hole.

Beisiegel was sure to mention that the cuts discussed and the ensuing deficit was all before teacher negotiations on supplemental pay and salary increases occurred.

"Regardless of which committee wins, we're still in the hole between $99,000 and $41,000," said Beisiegel.

Concluding his presentation, board member Steve Murrow asked, "Were the teachers receptive and did they understand?"

Beisiegel answered, "Yes, they understood. It's a hard piece to swallow. This is out of our control; we're at their mercy - and at their mercy on any further cuts that may happen."

Murrow said, "If you think the economy is not hitting us and is leaving us alone, it's hitting home."

Lead teacher negotiator for USD 346 Kirk Holt said, "We understand; it's a budget crisis and we're in the hole. It's tough - you're in a tough spot; the faculty wants to do everything to keep from cutting individuals."

Superintendent Royce Powelson then told the board that the state of Kansas is projecting a $1 billion deficit this year.

Social Studies teacher Kirk Miller asked the board if it were a top priority not to cut staff and what they needed to do to stay away from cutting staff.

Beisiegel reiterated that it was a priority not to cut staff but that it was a very frustrating situation for the board.

Further discussion ensued about morale issues and both the board and teachers agreed that the budget crisis and pending cuts were not good for morale on either side.

"We've done everything we can to keep our staff," said board president Terry Perkins, "including closing Prescott and closing Blue Mound."

Murrow then said, "If we want to make that deficit zero, you're looking at a five to seven percent cut (across the board on all teacher salaries.) Are they willing to do that to save one?"

Beisiegel then said that morale was shaken and shaken more with the cuts that the district was being forced to make, but he felt that by the board addressing the teachers directly about the deficit, lines of communication were opened.

Board member Dustin Coffel then said, "No Child Left Behind - love it or hate it, caused us to step up to the bar, and now to have the rug pulled out from under us...it comes down to the personal level. It's looking our friends and neighbors in the eye."

He continued, "What does it cost society if kids don't graduate. Where would you rather spend your money? Education or welfare and prison."

Following his statement, he explained that in 2002 he was laid off from a job and said it was not fun. "My tenure here, we've had some tough decisions. They were tough but at the end of the day it was what was right; what faced us tonight is not best for kids but it's what we need to do."

With that, following a 30-minute executive session, the board voted to approve non-renewing Marla Miller's contract next year.