SCHOOL FINANCES NEED CAREFUL ATTENTION

The hold-harmless provision of Missouri's 1992 Outstanding Schools Act has not lived up to its name for the Cape Girardeau School District. The district is one of several in the state that haven't appreciably benefited from the $310 million bonanza of the act.

The hold-harmless provision guaranteed Cape Girardeau wouldn't receive any less funding under the act, but the convoluted formula also meant the district would see no increase in state funding the 1995-96 school year.

Today, the district finds itself financially stressed. Significant changes in spending must be implemented if the district is to avoid state involvement. While the district remains solvent, cash balances have fallen well below the state's 10 percent requirement.

This predicament leaves the school board and district staff with a mandate to tighten belts and reduce spending. It is time for resolve, not alarm.

Some tough decisions must be made over the coming months. These decisions won't be easy for staff, teachers, students, parents or administrators. But everyone must focus on the bigger picture to return district finances to a positive mode. State intervention would be the worst option.

Simply put, the shortfall isn't a matter of significant spending over budget. The low coffers are directly attributed to the district's hold-harmless status and the fact that state aid for required programs has also declined. Meanwhile, the district has increased salaries, and that recurring obligation has also chipped away at balances. Salaries always have a considerable impact on the budget since they represents 74 percent of expenditures.

Fewer students has also meant fewer dollars, since enrollment is directly tied to the state's allocation. And although inflation has been minimal, it still means that static dollars won't stretch as far year after year.

Through the coming budget cuts, the board and administrators must continue to put the students first. Quality education must not suffer amid the reductions.

With continued community and staff support, the district can take positive action to build fund balances.

The Cape Girardeau School District has weathered a number of storms in recent years. The current administration and school board is strong and seems up to the challenge of reversing troubling financial trends.