The Kimball district school board moved swiftly through its agend until it reached #8: review of proposed budget reductions. Presentations of the elementary and high school proposed cuts were followed with discussion by board members and and interested community members. Upcoming meetings A special board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, to present proposed reductions and get feedback from the community. Another special board meeting will be held Thursday, April 8, for the school board to review public comments made at the April 6 meeting. The final decision on cuts from next year’s programs will be made at the regular board meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 15, in the KAHS cafetorium. All three meetings are open to the public. Proposed cuts In preparation for the March 25 meeting, principals of the elementary and high schools were asked to find $150,000 in possible cuts on their campuses. It was difficult – especially after last year’s cuts – but each came up with a list. One item on the list (5th- and 6th-grade band) has since been removed from the list and will not be cut next year. Other things are still under discussion, while others may be added. Other cuts under discussion include: o Transfer of LPN (licensed practical nurse) duties to secretarial staff at both schools. This would be under the supervision of the school RN (registered nurse). o Reduction in number of multi-age classes offered. o Reduction of a kindergarten assistant. o Reduction or elimination of some high school electives with low enrollment. o Reduction of some C-squad sports. All the proposed cuts are still under discussion. Again, the final decisions will be made April 15 after further consideration and public input. Temporary solution The problem vexing the school district is that budget reductions for next year is only a temporary solution to the problem: not enough money to fund all programs. Cuts were made last year, more cuts are coming next year. But it is anticipated that another budget shortfall for 2005-06 will require even more cuts. Unless something drastic changes over the next few years as school enrollment numbers decline dramatically, there will soon be nothing left to cut – the school district have nothing to offer students or the community. “Eventually we’ll just be a shell,” explained superintendent Scott Thielman. “We’re in competition with other schools, like it or not.” Thielman’s goal is to make required budget reductions while making the least painful limitations to educational offerings in the schools. Class sizes are not being increased for next year, and are not being considered. It should be noted that the current budget deficit has been caused by a combination of factors: declining enrollment means reduced government income to the district, rural schools throughout the state are receiving less money proportionately than urban schools, state and federal funding has been reduced across the board, and district expenses are simply more than all income. Other business District employee issues included resignation of Cathy Olson from Community Ed., and two teachers and a secretary will soon begin maternity leaves. Long-time teacher Gary Trimble will be out the remainder of the school year because of health problems. The Target VISA program netted the district $478 which the school library can double for book purchases. Negotiations with the teachers’ union are back “at the table.” Their next meeting is March 31.
