Schools worry about budget cuts

School districts are worried and watching as state lawmakers wade through proposed budget cuts.

"We're basically in waiting mode until the Legislature decides on how deep of cuts," said Davis School District spokesman Chris Williams.

Education leaders may know more Wednesday after the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee discusses myriad options.

Districts sent their own recommendations to the State Office of Education last Friday. State education officials will present a summary to the committee.

The state office is looking at a 7.5 percent budget cut for the rest of fiscal 2009 and a 15 percent cut for fiscal 2010.

Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, said he would like to think school districts have been making budget adjustments and implementing prudent spending for quite some time. "I hope none of them up and say, 'Oh my gosh, you want us to make cuts?'"

Most Utah school districts began cutting back last fall with freezes on hiring and travel. Districts have made even more cuts as the school year progresses.

"We began to be very prudent with our budget months ago," said Granite District Superintendent Stephen Ronnenkamp.

By December, Davis District had deferred a $300 bonus for full-time employees. The district just axed its $20,000 Hall of Fame dinner and awards program.

Spokesmen with Jordan School District, which is scheduled to split in July, said they are waiting on the district-split arbitration results before Jordan District can have solid budget numbers. Arbitration results between Jordan and the new Canyons District are scheduled to be announced this month.

Canyons District Superintendent Dave Doty said the looming budget cuts won't put the new district in jeopardy. He emphasizes there could be modifications, however, and the district needs to have "realistic expectations."

Statewide, many budget-trimming options have been thrown into the mix for discussion, including cutting days of school, which would save $12.5 million. Opinions about the idea are mixed.

State Board member Janet Cannon, of Holladay, isn't too keen on the idea of simply axing school days.

"Days of school and instructional time are the most important thing we do," Cannon said. "Time on task makes a huge difference in the academic success of children."

However, Iron County School District Superintendent James Johnson said a positive aspect of the idea is that all employees are impacted the same.

"It's fair and consistent across the board," Johnson said, adding he would only support it on a limited basis. "I would prefer that to a reduction in force," he said.

The governor and the Legislature have emphasized to education leaders that budget cuts are to not harm the teachers or classrooms.