Budget capsule: Public education

Finalizing the fiscal year 2010 public education budget in preparation for the 2009-10 school year has been a long process full of surprises, disappointments and a big final sigh of relief.

Last fall, the Legislature approved carrying over $60 million from fiscal year 2008 to backfill segments of the fiscal year 2009 budget for public education.

At the beginning of the 2009 Legislative Session, lawmakers made about a 7.5 percent cut to the current public education budget with around 3 percent being backfilled.

During budget discussions, a frustrated State Deputy Superintendent Larry Shumway suggested to legislators — somewhat in jest — they just cancel school to save money. One day axed would save the state $12.5 million.

School district superintendents latched onto the idea and legislators began to take it seriously.

Lawmakers warned the education community there could be up to 15 percent in cuts for next year's budget. Bills were created to balance the fiscal year 2010 budget and it ended up being a 6 percent budget cut thanks to federal stimulus money totaling $298 million for public education.

It was no surprise the $20 million teacher-bonus package was killed.

HB2 allows for schools districts to close school for up to five days to save funds.

The value of the weighted pupil unit, a per-pupil funding method used to dole out state money to school districts, will remain the same: $2,577.

State education leaders are expecting an additional 13,400 students this fall. The fall 2008 count was 551,370 students.

From here, school districts will face the challenge of deciding how to deal with reduced budgets while preparing for the 2009-10 school year. "Some have started to take action in anticipation of cuts," said Todd Hauber, associate superintendent of business services.

Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, during budget-related discussions Wednesday, encouraged charters and districts not to use their reserves this year to make up the difference — they just might need those extra funds next year.

E-MAIL: astewart@desnews.com