CLEARFIELD – In his preliminary budget presentation, Business Manager Sam Maney indicated a $1.6 million deficit for 2009-10 to the Clearfield Area School District Board of Directors at a work session Monday night.
Maney said that he’s projected $33.5 in expenditures and $31.9 million in revenue. He said he’s projected revenue to go down a little over $600,000.
“When you’re revenue is backed up, it makes it a tall order and a challenge in and of itself,” he said.
He said the budget numbers provided no reflection of stimulus funding. He said a supplementary line would be added if and when the funding is received.
“Stimulus funding is short-lived. I don’t like living off stimulus. We don’t want stimulus to balance the budget,” he said.
At last week’s regular meeting, Superintendent Dr. Richard C. Makin said he was uncertain about the “story” with the stimulus funding. His viewpoint remained unchanged, stating the picture has only become more “fuzzy.”
“Everyone has a different story. I’m not going to count on it,” Makin told the board then.
Board Member Dr. Tina Serafini said any stimulus funding received by the district should not be used for operational costs. Similar to Maney, she said the stimulus funding is a “one time thing.”
Maney also indicated that the retirement rate also played a major factor in the current budget figures. He said that the retirement rate for 2009-10 was 4.78 percent.
However, he said due to an expected future spike, he has the rate set at 7.13 percent. He said the higher rate is not mandatory, and the district would see about $350,000 in savings if it was set at 4.78 percent.
Maney additionally noted that the district’s costs for the cyberschool have “skyrocketed.”
Board Vice President Dave Glass suggested that the district could bring the educational option “in-house.” He and Makin said that they were aware of a program at Bellefonte.
Serafini said that the students would still have the option to say no and take an alternative route.
Glass said that while she was correct, the district would still have control over costs with the program “in-house.”
“Any savings is better than no savings at all,” he said.
Maney said that he included an extra teaching position in the budget. He said that he wasn’t aware that three positions had collapsed, and only two teachers were being brought in for next year.
Board Member Larry Putt inquired about he technology coaches’ positions and responsibilities.
Maney said that he could not answer the question. Makin indicated that a lot of technology has come into the district, and the staff must be trained for its use.
Putt then asked if Brian Norwood, director of technology, could provide those duties.
Makin said that he has spoken with Norwood about the option but said that Norwood felt that the instructional aspects didn’t fall into the responsibilities of those who offered the technology setup.
“There is a difference between the guy who sets up your computer and the guy who teaches you how to use it,” Glass said.
When asked if the technology coaches were busy all day, neither Makin nor Kevin Wallace, high school vice principal, could indicate either way.
Makin said that although both positions were currently vacant for next year, the board must think about it before seizing an opportunity.
Glass said that he believed the district should maintain at least one technology coach position.
“A lot of technology has come into this district. Technology is essential,” he said.
“We refurbished the planetarium but won’t invest in it. Yeah, $1.6 million sounds bad, but I’m more optimistic.”
Glass said that the board should shoot for two or three mills.
“We need to do more trimming. I’d like to see more information,” Board Member Tim Morgan said.
The board will meet again next week with a date and time to be announced.
A tentative budget must be adopted in May and placed on display for 30 days. The final budget must be approved in June.