District 88 prepares for budget cuts for 2001-2002

Reductions of $1.2 million sought

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Cutting the District 88 budget for 2001-2002 by $1.2 million will be the task of the board and administration during the next two months.

The board, on Thursday, passed a resolution making recommendations for reductions in programs and positions. They also passed a resolution reallocating funds from general education revenue from the building level to the district level to cover all expenses.

By reducing the expenses, the general fund balance will fall between $1.5 million and $1.7 million by July 2002. Without any reductions, the fund balance by July 2002 would be approximately $210,659. Factors in the decline are account revenue loss; step moves; increases in health insurance; improvements in state revenue; and salary improvements.

"At this point I feel we are doing the impossible," Remme said. "We are attempting to figure the fund balance 18 months in advance. There are many unknowns in doing that. It is not an easy decision, but it is necessary."

The district averages about $1 million in expenses per month, Remme said.

The district will determine possible reductions by areas and departments during the next two months. Decisions about specific cuts are expected in March. Employees targeted for reduction will be identified by April 2 during a special board meeting.

If an energy impact bill becomes state law, it will provide about $30 million in fuel assistance costs for one year, Remme said.

A survey will help determine the potential of in-house fund raising. The activities committee will look at the effectiveness of door-to-door fund raising for various school activities, board member Mark Wiger said.

In relationship to budgetary concerns, the board received information on the impact of class size, particularly at the high school.

Remme reported that current recommendations are a minimum of 15 students before a class will be offered, and a maximum of 30. The minimum can be raised.

"There are a variety of variables that need to be considered in this decision," High School Principal Richard LaPatka said. "In some of the science classes there is only room for 28. In some of our math classes, we have 32 students because of the resignation of a teacher. We sometimes have fewer students once the year starts than we do at the time of enrollment."

LaPatka emphasized that class size must be considered in determining budget needs.

"The difficult thing is knowing what the numbers should be," he said. "What I am looking at right now is what the minimum is going to be. That will determine the impact on the rest of the classes. The lower we leave the number, the greater the impact. Realistically, it should not stay at 15."

Advanced Placement classes, or other classes within a department might not be offered if enrollment is not sufficient, board member Susan Nierengarten said.

"If we let students know what the minimum numbers are, they will go out and recruit other students if they really want the class," LaPatka said. "What (students) sign up for is based on their individual goals. The trend is to look at technical colleges earlier. All these factors need to be taken into account too."

Staying at 15 would cut some classes. Without a set number the administration is left with some tough choices, board member Brian Wieland said.

"Reality needs to set in," Wiger said. "We cannot be nice guys without the money to do this. We need to cut major dollars. I think 18 is a number we can be comfortable with at this point."

Maximum numbers are controlled by other factors, but 18 is a necessary minimum, Remme said.

Enrollment for 2001-2002 begins Feb. 7.