School districts on budget alert

With the State Office of Education being asked to consider up to a 10 percent budget cut for fiscal year 2010, local school districts worry it could trickle down to them.

"Everyone is very concerned," said Jordan School District Superintendent Barry Newbold.

"It appears we haven't seen the last of budget cuts in the state," Newbold said. "And it wouldn't surprise me if cuts are deeper than the state level."

State Superintendent Patti Harrington sent an e-mail last Friday to district superintendents and charter school directors. It refers to lagging state revenues and looming state education office budget cuts.

"It was ominous," said Salt Lake School District Superintendent McKell Withers.

Harrington's letter stated she doesn't know if Utah's schools and classrooms will be impacted yet. "I do know that there is a concerted effort to continue to hold public education harmless," she stated.

Harrington told the Deseret News on Wednesday the legislative fiscal analyst asked the state education office last week to begin thinking how it would handle a 5 percent to 10 percent budget reduction.

Harrington would suggest trimming state education office departments "strategically," not across the board. Attrition and outsourcing are two options. Time off without pay, slashing salaries or axing benefits aren't on the table, she said.

State education cuts could hit the Minimum School Program, the major funding source for school districts to provide basic education. Therefore, it would affect school districts, said Todd Hauber, associate superintendent of business services.

"It would be reasonable for school districts to expect cuts," Hauber said. "Every district would have to address it uniquely."

Hauber added that generally 80 percent of school district dollars are spent on teacher salaries. Cuts could mean layoffs, eliminating raises or slicing benefits — or all of the above, he said.

A $20 million pot is earmarked for teachers in participating districts and charter schools for merit pay in the Legislature's performance-based compensation plan. Whether lawmakers touch that is yet to be seen, Harrington said.

Education officials expect to know more after next Friday's Legislative Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee meeting. They are also waiting for the governor's proposed budget scheduled for release in December.