Guest View: Distributing school district budget adjustments will minimize impact

By Anne Lundquist, Superintendent, Charles City Community School District

Second of a three-part series.

As outlined in my previous column, published Tuesday, March 5, the financial indicators in the district are beginning to trend downward, due in large part to enrollment.

In our district, as is the case of most rural schools, enrollment is slowly declining, and expenses are rising. This makes budget adjustments necessary, and conscientious financial decisions critical.

The good news is that by addressing these issues now the district is able to make what might be viewed as a losing proposition, manageable. The bad news is, it makes the decision-makers unpopular.

It is never pleasant to have to give up some of what we have valued in the past, whether it is the number of days or hours worked, insurance benefits, or other advantages, such as additional transportation options, or specialized course offerings. It doesn’t seem fair.

However, it is important to understand that each year operational costs increase, which includes expenses like utilities, gas and upkeep, as well as (much deserved) pay increases and benefit packages for staff members.

If we make adjustments in the way funds are spent throughout the system, the district will maintain its current financial solvency and still have the capacity to provide outstanding educational experiences for more than 1,400 students, and employment opportunities for more than 300 staff members.

Some adjustments being considered include:

• Moving to a four-tiered insurance model in which certified staff can select either a single, single plus child(ren), single plus spouse, or family plan.

• Adjust the daily hours of most paraeducators to 7½ (which includes a 30-minute unpaid lunch period).

• Reducing the number of shuttle buses that operate in town, before and after school.

• Providing two half-day preschool programs in each of two classrooms.

• Decreasing the length of the contracts for some administrative support staff.

• Reducing the number of staff members who provide summer school.

The changes being recommended will impact nearly all employees in one way or another. By distributing the impact throughout the system the district can minimize the impact across the board for everyone, and protect as many positions as possible.