At the March 25 board meeting, the Atwater-Cosmos –Grove City School Board poured over a list of money-saving suggestions from school administrators.
The budget-cutting considerations are part of the process of downsizing ACGC’s programming to accommodate a 20-student dip in enrollment compared to last year’s numbers. Although enrollment in the district is expected to be more stable in future years, especially once building renovations are completed, the district needs to trim deficit spending. State funding, especially in the area of special education, has not been sufficient to keep the district from dipping further into its “rainy day” reserves.
Before going over the list of recommended cuts, Superintendent Nels Onstad explained to the dozens of citizens and staff in attendance that the district’s operations funds are in short supply compared to last year when 20 more students were enrolled. Approximately 80 percent of the district’s operating revenue comes from the state legislature, using formulas based upon pupil enrollment.
This past year, voters approved a $15 million referendum to make necessary renovations to the district’s mechanical infrastructure, mostly at the older elementary school building in Atwater, and in building security. By state law, those funds may only be spent on designated capital projects, not general operations.
Likewise, a $5 million construction grant from the state awarded last summer, is earmarked only to repurpose the former elementary school building in Cosmos for use as a learning center for children with special needs, who are transported there from around the region. Like the referendum bonds, this money may not be used for general school operations.
This leaves the school board with the unenviable task of right-sizing its operations downward.
At the top of the list, based upon lower projected elementary enrollment next year, two elementary sections in third and fourth grades are expected to be cut. This would increase class sizes from a projected 17 to approximately 23 students per classroom in those grades.
Another full-time teacher, at the high school, should also be cut. After taking input from secondary staff, Onstad and his team recommended cutting the business education position. There could also be three fewer athletic coaches, although one of the positions may be reinstated if participation numbers increase. The board also discussed trimming a media specialist, a half-time art position and reducing tech support staff from three full-time positions to two. The board discussed how the duties of current personnel might be re-assigned to other staff.
These first-round cuts would reduce deficit spending of approximately $650,000 per year by about $355,000, meaning that $300,000 in additional cuts would be needed during the 2020-2021 school year, unless state aid improves or enrollment is higher. Two percent annual increases from the state, school officials noted, would barely keep up with projected inflation of approximately 1.8 percent in salaries and benefits. So closer to a three percent increase would be needed to avoid further cuts. Once the cuts are made, school operations balances are expected to stabilize.
Board Chair Michael Hendrickson said that making budget cuts is difficult because “everyone is valued, everyone is important … We need to make sure we are making right decisions and not moving too quickly.”
Board consensus was that cutting about $355,000 from next year’s budget is necessary but that they would hold off on further cuts for now in the hope that either enrollment or state support would increase. The other cuts would include two-to-three certified staff, two paraeducators, the late activity bus, one sport (golf) and some administrative staff. The board will be mulling further input from parents and staff and making a final decision on the proposed budget cuts at a special school board meeting at 6 p.m. April 8, at the junior/senior high school. It is necessary to make a decision on next year’s staffing levels in early April as notices of termination need to be made in a timely manner, Onstad said. A few of the cuts involve not replacing teachers who plan to retire, but some will need to be terminations, based upon seniority and other factors.
Among other business
- The board heard from Jonathan Pettigrew of LHB Architects about proposed improvements in mechanical infrastructure and classroom and office configuration at the elementary school in Atwater. School officials noted that the renovations should allow the district to operate for another 50 years without making major heating system, electrical and other major capital upgrades.
- The board acknowledged receiving $2,500 in contributions from individuals and local businesses toward various extra- and co-curricular projects
In personnel matters
- The board approved hiring Heather Gaarder, a special education teacher;
- Quincey McNeil and Jamie Tanner, co-head volleyball coaches and a list of spring coaching assignments; and
- Summer custodial staff were also hired.
