Granite District seeks input on budget cut decisions

SALT LAKE CITY — Granite School District is seeking input on how it should handle the budget for fiscal year 2011, which begins July 1.

The district is anticipating having to cut $7 million to $10 million from its general fund. This comes on the heels of a $28.5 million cut from fiscal 2010, which is the current school year.

"Your input will help the administration and the Board of Education to make these difficult decisions," said Granite District Superintendent Stephen Ronnenkamp.

Last year's Granite District budget cuts included slicing two days from the school calendar, axing 5.5 professional development days for teachers, implementing a slight increase in class size and eliminating approximately 95 central office and support positions.

Go to www.graniteschools.org/departments/superintendent/communications/Pages/Budget2011input.aspx for instructions on giving your suggestions and ideas on budget priorities.

The Web site lists potential budget cutting options and offers an informational video.

A comment form is available on the Web site and is also available at schools. Forms should be returned to schools to be collected by principals prior to the April 2 deadline.

District officials would like to know:

 What district programs do you view as critical and oppose reducing if that reduction would change the level and quality of service?

 What district programs do you view as important but would support reducing in some manner given the fiscal environment?

 What district programs and services do you view as nonessential and are willing to do without?

 What specific suggestions do you have for developing the fiscal year 2011 budget?

The district has set a timeline to receive the feedback:

 Through April 2: Community input and collaboration through school and district community councils and PTA;

 April 5 to 14: Central office budget recommendation team reviews input and prepares recommendations for the board of education;

 April 20: Preliminary budget recommendations are discussed with the board;

 May 4: Superintendent makes final budget recommendations to the board;

 June 15: Board adopts budget following statutory review period that begins June 1.

For more information, call Granite District at 385-646-5000.

— Amy K. Stewart