Granite budget plan OK'd, but more cuts are coming

Moving forward with myriad budget cuts, Granite School Board Tuesday night unanimously approved the district's recommended budget for the 2009-10 school year, which takes effect July 1.

The budget plan outlines a $25 million reduction.

However, in order to balance the 2009-10 budget, the district still needs to slice $3.4 million.

"This is a very difficult challenge," said Granite superintendent Stephen Ronnenkamp.

The board must finalize the budget by June 30.

"Everyone is going to feel this," said Granite board president Sarah Meier.

The district will cut several reading specialists to save $325,000; increase staffing ratios by a quarter student for all grades to save $1.1 million; eliminate steps and adjustment increases for groups other than teachers to save $550,000; and slice two school days for $136,000.

A $4.4 million reduction will eliminate 95 people from the district office, including four police officers, nine custodians, six math specialists, two energy managers and two elementary music specialists. It is hoped some of these employees can be funneled into the schools and classrooms.

To save $350,000, five administrative interns positions that generally serve as junior high school assistant principals, will be eliminated.

A total of $1.4 million will come from transportation, which includes changing some long-standing, yet dollar-draining, bus routes.

Many concerned parents and educators in Granite district flocked to the budget meeting to follow the money trail.

"Every cut you make affects kids," said Judith Kissell, principal of Farnsworth Elementary School.

Parent Nicole Olsen of West Valley is worried about how the budget will be finalized. "If you're going to cut reading coaches you can cut busing," she said.

During an afternoon study session, the board discussed other money-saving options.

The suggestions included changing high schools from an eight-period to seven-period schedule; and opening a South Salt Lake school for grades seven through twelve in lieu of Granite High School.

A public hearing to discuss the idea of closing Granite High is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the district office, 2500 S. State.

E-mail: astewart@desnews.com