Saturday, March 22, 2008

Schools face tight budget

Superintendent will learn in April what funds district will get

Argen Duncan El Defensor Chieftain Reporter

Socorro Consolidated Schools may be facing a tight budget for the next fiscal year, but not to the same degree of this year.

At the school board meeting March 18, Superintendent Cheryl Wilson explained her budget predictions.

"We don't have our figures yet," she said.

Wilson anticipates learning in early April how much the district will get.

Socorro schools saw a drop in enrollment of 24 students for the 40th and 80th days of school, which the state uses to determine funding. Wilson said the decline, which is about 1 percent, is less than last year and not significant.

In the worst-case scenario, the superintendent said, the district would have a 1 percent funding decrease while giving employees a mandated 2 percent or 3 percent pay raise.

"So that would be tough, but not even as tough as what happened to us last year," she said.

Wilson expects a 3 percent increase in funding. The district will still need to find and use savings to balance the budget, but she doesn't think the schools will need emergency funding.

Also, the unit value, funding based on number of students and other factors, was raised after the fall semester, so the district has more money now. Wilson said business managers are handling money responsibly as well.

"I'm not nervous yet," she said. "Hopefully I won't be eating my words."

In addition, the state has been funding elementary physical education, starting with the schools with the highest poverty. Parkview and Midway elementary schools received money last year, and Zimmerly Elementary School did this year.

Because Zimmerly already has a physical education teacher, Wilson said, the district wouldn't need to hire a new person. She suggested using the money for elementary library or fine arts at Parkview.

Also, Parkview has a K-3 Plus grant for art and music in its summer program. Wilson said the district might be able to find someone to continue the activities in the fall.

The next budget is due to the state April 25, district representatives are to defend it May 10, and the school board must approve it by June 10.

On another matter, the board voted to accept a contract for speech language, physical and occupational therapy and diagnostic work with local business Positive Outcomes. The board voted unanimously with President Tony Gonzales absent and member Ann Shiells abstaining.

Wilson and two others rated the five bidders in each service area. They considered price, credentials, experience, understanding of the scope of work in the district and a follow-through plan.

"And you'll remember the largest factor went to price," Wilson said.

Two providers had lower bids than Positive Outcomes, but they couldn't offer all the services, Wilson said. She doesn't want to use multiple providers.

One of those providers wanted to be available if Positive Outcomes didn't have enough staff for Socorro schools. Wilson said the contract includes a clause that allows the district to go to other groups in such a case.

Positive Outcomes employees have worked in the schools for some time, and Wilson said the organization bid at the same price for the last two years. She said the contract would last for one year and then continue if the board felt comfortable with it.

In other business: