BonnerSprings.com

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ Jan. 12 budget proposal and ensuing action by the Kansas Legislature have left the Bonner Springs-Edwardsville Board of Education with much to discuss at next week’s board meeting.

But how any mandates in the state budget will really affect the school district during the next two years is still anyone’s guess.

“We don’t know how deep it’s gonna go,” said Tami Koppang, the district’s director of business and finance services. “We’re just holding tight right now.”

Based on Sebelius’ plan to freeze statewide funding for K-12 education, USD 204 is looking at a $22 per-student cut this year, or $66,000-plus total loss to the budget, and a $66 per-student cut in 2010, or an estimated $198,000 loss.

“This is the most serious threat to education by far in all of my 30 years,” said Superintendent Robert Van Maren in a Jan. 16 USD 204 staff newsletter.

Koppang said that while these cuts could affect many components within the school system, extracurricular programs like driver’s education and professional development, a training program for teachers, would be seriously affected.

“We’ll probably have to double our driver’s ed fees,” Koppang said. “More than likely, not as many students are going to be able to take it because they can’t afford it, which is sad.”

At this time no cuts to these programs are being considered, but staff cuts are on the table, Koppang said.

“Hopefully this will come from people who retire or quit,” Koppang said. “Those positions just won’t be filled.”

Koppang said spending has already been reduced quite a bit to prepare for whatever final decision is made by legislators later this year. Building administrators have been told to only spend what is necessary and “essential to construction,” as Koppang said. A temporary hold has also been placed on any field trips and the purchase of any new library books.

USD 204 is looking at possibly sharing some staff positions among the five schools as well. Nothing can be known until the legislative session concludes, but the district is hopeful that whatever small precautions they take now will be enough to offset future per-student losses to the budget. Assuming, of course, those losses are no greater than the expected $22 per-pupil cut for this year.

“We’re hoping these cutbacks will be enough for that shortfall,” Koppang said. “That $22 we can live within.”

Of equal concern now is when the decision will finally be handed down. Koppang said she was hoping the Legislature gets out no later than April, but even then the district is looking at a difficult time of it.

“It’s very hard to start making cuts when you’re already through half the year,” she said.

The Bonner Springs-Edwardsville Board of Education will meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 2 at the District Office, 2200 S. 138th St.

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