Last night, Finance Director Randi Johnson gave the school board the forecast for the 2009-2010 budget for the first time. If you haven't heard, the district is facing $1.5 million in adjustments to balance next year's budget.
Here is the budget presentation if you would like to view it, and here is the one page fact sheet you are sure to see more and more of as we move through this difficult process. A page has also been set up at the district web site to allow you an opportunity to provide input by e-mail if you so choose.
I sent a letter to our legislators this week after hearing that the state could consider a 10-13 percent reduction in its education funding for next year, which would be extremely damaging to NBAPS. Senator Rick Olseen responded and I was encouraged by his continued commitment to education.
Still...
The state has some tough choices ahead and those choices could affect NBAPS drastically and in a negative way. I encourage you to contact both Sen. Olseen or Rep. Jeremy Kalin and let them know that cuts to state education funding would be potentially catastrophic to our district, especially since North Branch has been reducing so deeply, for so long.
The $1.5 million shortfall we are projecting is based on receiving no increase in state funding for next year, but it is also based on receiving no cut in state funding for next year. Every dollar the state cuts from education will make our projected deficit grow.
We laid off forty people last year. We are, quite simply, running out of maneuvering space.
Friday, February 27, 2009
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