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Superintendent: declining enrollment will require cuts; high-school leak and repairs add costs
Summary
Superintendent Gallagher told the board the district is budgeting with a 1,130-student projection and faces a roughly $1.8 million reduction in funding tied to lower enrollment; Gallagher also described a major high-school leak with initial repair and water bills that will affect next year’s budget.
Superintendent Gallagher warned trustees the district is projecting reduced funding next school year because of lower student counts and that administrators will bring a reduction plan to the February meeting.
"We are estimating today based on these numbers that we are $1,800,000 needs to be cut out of our budget for next school year," Gallagher said, explaining the district submitted a conservative projection of 1,130 students to the state and that the district currently receives $11,048 per student. Gallagher said that represents a funding decrease of approximately $773,000 relative to current allocations.
Gallagher also described a major leak at the high school that produced substantial erosion and flooding. He gave itemized costs received so far: stairs and railing repairs estimated at $33,000, sump pump replacement $7,300, and a negotiated city water bill of $23,000 related to unusually high water usage during the event. Gallagher said the district is gathering bids and awaiting the insurer’s determination of coverage before finalizing the district’s share of costs.
On operations, Gallagher said the high-school boiler is still down and parts have been ordered with anticipated arrival the following week; half of that building currently has no heat. The superintendent said administrators and the board will work on a plan to present in February to address necessary budget reductions.
