JORDAN - Since the proposed 2008-09 budget of $26.9 million dollars, representing a 5.79 percent budget increase, was voted down in May, the district has been weighing its options.

On Monday evening at Jordan-Elbridge Middle School, William E. Hamilton, assistant superintendent of business and finance, gave a brief presentation on cuts.

“We had three public hearings,” Hamilton said. “The input we received was very helpful. People also stopped by my office to talk. Even what we heard from people that were not in favor of the budget was helpful. It helped increase our perspective.”

After the public hearings and meetings, the board decided to find ways to make cuts that would reflect an overall $200,000 net reduction using a combination of expenses and fund balances, without having an impact on student programs.

On June 17, residents will be asked to vote on a revised 2008-09 budget.

This revised budget will include $189,000 in cuts, creating a budget totaling $26,762,966 (a 5.04 percent increase). With state aid amounting to $14,505,185, the estimated tax levy will be approximately $10,789,691, up from last year's $10,533,974, for a total tax levy increase of $255,717 or 2.43 percent.

Hamilton gave an itemized break down of the newly created reductions: $37,500 from administrative-central support, $25,500 from special education, $80,000 from equipment, $5,000 from meeting refreshments, $15,000 from buildings/grounds and $26,000 from central processing.

Hamilton said some of these cuts reflected some re-organization and belt tightening.

He said, for example, in the defeated budget, $2,216,293 was budgeted for special education, but the new budget has $2,190,793. If the district is forced to adopt a contingency budget, the district will have $2,189,643.

Hamilton said areas such as special education have a certain amount of contingency built into them, if for example more special education students should join the district in 2008-09, the budget would help accommodate those costs.

While other areas such as building and grounds, the district looked for ways to maximize the efficiency of resources available.

With three campuses and more than 300,000 square feet of buildings, Hamilton said it takes a lot to keep these buildings in good shape, something the district can be proud of.

“We have a half-time custodial position,” Hamilton said. “We have looked at some ways to reorganize that and we are looking at ways to reduce the amount of overtime.”

If this newly revised budget should be defeated, the district will be forced to adopt a contingency budget from the state.

This budget would total $26,361,316 and represent a 3.47 percent increase. Hamilton said by law the district is required to have a budget in place by July 1.

A contingency budget would require $401,650 in budget cuts. Of this, $364,150 will be program cuts as well as cuts in other areas such as charging the community for use of school facilities and restricted equipment purchase.

Hamilton and Superintendent Marilyn Dominick both stressed they do not want to see the budget go to contingency and avoid any staff cuts or cuts that affect students, such as advance placement classes.

“We don't want to see those cuts,” Dominick said. “Things like AP classes, we've worked so hard to get them where they are. We don't want to see anything happen to those or to any other student opportunities.”

To learn more

Visit www.jecsd.org or call 689-8500 The vote will be held from noon to 9 p.m. June 17 at Jordan-Elbridge High School.