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More cuts, no referendum anticipated BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD Staff Writer Brainerd School District administrators told board members Tuesday that they wouldn't recommend that the district seek another levy referendum until 2011, when the existing $199-per-pupil operating levy expires.
Instead, the district likely will prepare for additional rounds of budget cuts each year in an attempt to build its unreserved fund balance.
Steve Dickinson, director of business services, recommended that the district retain a minimum 8 percent in its unreserved fund balance, or about $6 million. The unreserved fund balance is projected to be about 2 percent by the end of the 2008-09 school year.
Dickinson also recommended that the district get to that 8 percent point over the next few years by building the fund back in .5 percent to 1 percent increments, which will mean additional budget cuts. If the district settles for a 2 percent annual increase with its unions and receives a 2 percent annual increase from the state, the district may be looking at another $600,000 in cuts next year and $900,000 to $1 million in cuts in 2009-10, Dickinson said.
Board members and administrators discussed a variety of issues at Tuesday's retreat, including curriculum, technology, Q-Comp and the possibility of future board retreats later this summer.
Todd Lyscio, Brainerd Community Education director, provided a list of recommended adjustments to the middle school athletic program next fall in light of $5.5 million in budget reductions. The recommendation is to cut a minimum of $52,000 from the $215,000 budget and to reduce about 32 coaching positions from the current total of about 80 coaches within the department. Lyscio said the recommendation includes cutting $2,000 in equipment and supplies and changing the volleyball model for seventh- and eighth-grade to an in-house program, eliminating its travel budget. Also, under the direction of the head boys' and girls' varsity basketball coaches, the middle school basketball program would be operated outside of the school district, like a traveling organization.
The board asked Razidlo to check with other school districts about names of additional consulting firms so board members could compare those rates and services to Virchow Krause and Co., a firm that has offered its services to help the district implement future budget reductions. The costs to use the firm would be about $45,000 to $150,000, depending on how comprehensive a study the board was willing to do. Board members expressed mixed views about the need to hire a firm.
The board approved the updated Q-Comp application for the 2008-09 school year jointly submitted to the state by the district and Education Minnesota Brainerd. Pat Altrichter, A-Comp coordinator, said 478 teachers participated in the program this year.
Razidlo asked board members if they would be open to hosting additional board retreats this summer to foster the relationship between him, as the new superintendent, and the board. Board members favored the idea.
JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.
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