Granite District looking for $5.2 million

Granite School District's budget is shaping up to be $5.2 million in the red next school year, not counting a possible raise for teachers.

That could mean budget cuts — either in staff, health insurance benefits or programs, budget director Mitch Robison said. Even increasing the class size, an unpopular measure resorted to in recent tough budget years, is on the table.

"I don't think we've ruled anything out," he said.

The Granite Board of Education on Tuesday streamlined some programs to save money.

It approved restructuring driver's education classes, having driving occur both during the school day and after hours, and not refilling 13 teaching vacancies. That would save a minimum $40,000 per teacher, said district spokesman Randy Ripplinger. Driver's ed class sizes also would get bigger.

The board also voted to eliminate six full-time teaching positions for an elementary music program — half those in place now — but study other means, such as before and after school classes, to maintain fifth- and sixth-grade band and orchestra.

Granite is operating on about a $398 million budget.

The 2004 Legislature brought the district more money, including $2.2 million extra in the weighted pupil unit, the state's basic per-student funding formula, and $2.4 million to help fund employees' retirement, Robison said. It also got $1 million in restricted money for special education and class size reduction, plus another $2.4 million to spread to all employees for a bonus.

But the district lost $1.6 million because of enrollment declines, Robison said. Health insurance rose 15 percent, or $4.2 million. Employee steps up the pay scale will cost $2.2 million. And retirement rate increases will gobble up $2.1 million.

"We're looking for $5.2 million to balance the budget," Robison said.

Add $1.5 million to the bill if teachers were to receive even a 1 percent pay increase, he said. Teacher contract negotiations are ongoing.

The district could get another $2 million from the state, but that money would have to go toward helping kindergartners through third-graders improve their reading skills. And it could only come if the district raises property taxes by the same amount.

The prospects don't please the school board.

"I'm tired of hurting kids" by cutting teacher benefits and increasing class size, board vice president Patricia Sandstrom said. "I think it is unfair the Legislature puts that on us."

Granite's budget woes are shared by neighboring Jordan School District, which last week floated the possibility of several tax increases to help make ends meet.

Robison will continue working on the budget through May and have a proposal ready for public view by June 1.

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