Redmond, Ore – The Redmond School District’s Board of Directors voted to adopt the 2010-11 budget at its June 23 meeting.
The budget is based upon current estimates of available resources and projected expenditures. The document as presented anticipates general fund resources of $55.6 million and represents a balanced budget for the 2010-11 school year.
District officials said that the key drivers of the current economic conditions and unstable school funding, namely declining enrollment and state appropriation, made this another extremely challenging budget cycle.
Interim Superintendent Shay Mikalson stated that the Governor’s latest news which reduced the state’s K-12 education budget to $5.76 billion, added an additional $2.6 million dollars to the district's already $1 million shortfall, increasing the district’s deficit to approximately $3.7 million for the upcoming budget year.
Mikalson said employees were to thank for their shared sacrifices and concessions for helping meet the deficit and ensuring students remain a top priority.
“The willingness of staff to work together and find ways to meet the $3.7 million gap is much appreciated,” said Mikalson. “Regardless of the current financial challenges, the district is committed to strategic investments in student achievement and dedicated to staying on a path of fiscal caution and prudence.”
Staff salary reductions to meet the deficit will be absorbed through deferral of cost-of-living increases and the elimination of nine days. The nine days will be a combination of three student contact days this school year, which have already been taken, and six non-student contact days next year.
The district also realized savings by eliminating or deferring some general fund transfers to reserves and reducing $240,000 in administrative expenses at the district office.
The approved cost-saving items were negotiated after a thorough analysis of the current budget situation and thoughtful deliberation by the district’s joint labor management team. This team, consisting of association representatives, school board members, and district staff, agreed to pursue a solution that would minimize increases to class sizes, maintain current staffing levels, and ensure the financial impact to staff was accomplished in an equitable manner.
A copy of the budget document may be inspected or obtained at the District Office between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The district is required by law to have a balanced budget by June 30.
