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Dutton/Brady schools concerned |
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Monday, 24 December 2007 |
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Page 1 of 2 With the majority of Montana schools facing cuts to existing programs and services next year and pressure mounting on local property taxpayers across the state, the Dutton/Brady School District is calling on area Legislators to find a solution to the looming crisis before the new budget year begins on July 1, 2008.
In the latest news among many stories that have outlived the anticipated problems with funding in the next school fiscal year, the State Legislative Fiscal division provided a report to an interim committee of the Montana Legislature that shows that schools across Montana are anticipated to experience significant budget shortfalls in the coming year.
Tim Tharp, Superintendent of the Dutton/Brady schools tells the I-O, “We are anticipating budget reductions of at least $80,000 and as much as $143,000 which is between five and eight percent.”
He goes on to say, “This comes at a time where fuel costs continue to escalate, we are continually trying to offer competitive salaries, and these reductions don’t take into consideration any inflationary factor; which only makes it worse.”
On a statewide basis, schools are anticipated to need voted levies of between $14.5 and $19.6 million just to maintain current programs.
Because Dutton/Brady schools is among the school districts that are disequalized, the budget cuts for the coming year will hit them particularly hard.
Tharp indicated that the best his school district can do with voted levy support is to maintain the present year’s budget with no inflationary adjustment.
Keeping that in mind, the question for Tharp and their school board, is not whether cuts will occur, but rather the extent of the reduction in valuable programs currently serving the needs of the children in the community.
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