By Lori EhdeThe Luverne School District budget outlook is more dismal than anticipated, according to information presented at Thursday’s School Board meeting.With $375,000 shortfall projected by next year, Luverne School Board members have their work cut out for them in coming budget discussions.District Financial Officer Marlene Mann has been revising the $8 million budget over the past several weeks, and warned board members that they have difficult decisions on the horizon."No matter what you touch, it will affect people and their lives and what they love to do," Mann said.She pointed to several factors causing financial problems for the district.oEnrollment decreased by 25 students since Christmas. That represents a loss of more than $100,000 in per pupil aid from the state.oTo balance its own budget, the state is withholding and metering 20 percent of promised aid. oMeanwhile the Legislature budgeted no new money for education in the past two years, and is projecting less money in 2004-05.oThe second year of teacher labor contracts negotiated last fall have increases in salaries and benefits representing roughly $180,000.oTypical expenditures, such as heating, lighting, cooling, transportation, water, snow removal, etc., continue to increase.For example, when fuel prices increase 40 to 50 cents per gallon, that adds up for the Luverne district, which puts 250,000 to 300,000 miles on its vehicles.oFederal laws, such as No Child Left Behind, and more stringent state standards are increasing costs for new curriculum, new tests, instructional materials and staff development.All totaled, a $375,000 shortfall presents a bleak budget picture for Luverne, Mann said."We need to balance the budget in order to project a budget for 2005-06," she said."It’s not a very good outlook."Superintendent Vince Schafer said the board had several options — none of them popular — for addressing the district’s $375,000 anticipated shortfall.oReduce class sections (which would increase the number of students per class), program offerings and services in grades k-12.oReduce administration district-wide, which means performing the same work with fewer people.oReduce activities, including the number of events, which decreases costs of mileage and etc.oGo to the voters this fall with the questions of increasing the operating levy, which is currently at $400 per pupil."We’d all like to keep everything the same," Schafer said, "but I think we’ve got some real work cut out for us."Board member Cary Radisewitz suggested educating the community early on in the process."I think it’s important as a board that we involve everyone — the whole community – on this," Radisewitz said."We need a planned approach to this thing, or we’re going to have a mob mentality when you start cutting programs."Schaefer said he hoped that effective communication would garner public support."This community has had a school of quality for many years," he said. "And we’d like to maintain a school of quality for years to come."Board member Steve Tofteland suggested putting another referendum to voters for approval. "If this is all really important to the community — if they really feel strongly about it — let them support it with their vote," Tofteland said.Mann said that even if voters did approve a referendum on the fall ballot, the revenue won’t be available until the following year, so the board still needs to go through the process of making cuts.In other business:oThe board heard a presentation from business teacher Diana Erickson on the Business Education Department in the district.She presented the information using voice recognition software, which typed her words in a document on an overhead projector as she spoke them.Under Erickson’s direction, students learn word processing, computer science, computer applications (including PowerPoint), personal finance, and general business.In addition, students have opportunity to participate in an internship program with local businesses.oThe board heard an update on the Hills-Beaver Creek special education bill of $55,865 owed to the Luverne District.H-BC had requested an audit of the bill, specifically to see if the statements accurately reflect services rendered.An audit conducted by the Southwest South-central Service Cooperative revealed that H-BC actually owes $225 more than the original statement reflected.oThe district received a certificate from the Minnesota Department of Employee Relations that it’s in compliance with pay equity requirements.oChris Nowatzki was named head boys and girls golf coach at $3,906 and John Oksness was hired as assistant boys and girls golf coach at $2,580.oIsaac Schmidt was approved as volunteer baseball coach.
