$19.7 MILLION BUDGET APPROVED; SCHOOL BOARD FORCED TO DRAW ON BALANCES

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education Monday approved a $19.7 million budget for the 1991-92 school year that contemplates the district spending about $1.1 million more than it will receive.

Superintendent Neyland Clark said school officials will begin looking at ways to trim that $1.1 million from the 1992-93 budget.

This year's budget reflects deficit spending of $770,000 in the teachers fund and $350,000 in the incidental fund. The district has money in savings to make up the deficit.

"We are drawing our balances down in excess of a million dollars," said Business Manager Larry Dew. "We are going into our savings account for operation of the school district this year."

Dew said that balances are now at a "minimal level required for cash flow." He said that next year the school district cannot afford a similar situation. Balances will not be available.

"If Proposition B doesn't pass, we will be looking at reductions or additional local income," Dew said.

If approved by voters Nov. 5, Proposition B, a statewide education funding measure on the November ballot, would provide money for the 1992-93 school year. While the formula for distributing money has not been set, school officials predict Proposition B would bring the district between $500,000 and $625,000.

Clark said the deficit situation this year comes about in part because of state budget cuts. The district lost $400,000 of state revenues through two rounds of budget cuts this year.

"This district cannot stand this kind of hit again," Clark said.

He said that this month talks will begin within the district to look at ways to trim $1.1 million from the 1992-93 budget.

"In the event that additional revenue comes through, that's great," Clark said. "But we can't wait to begin budgeting these types of significant cuts."

Board member John Campbell said a $1.1 million cut is about a 6 or 6.5 percent cut across the board.

Cape Girardeau receives 65 percent of its total revenue from local taxes, 26 percent from state taxes, and 9 percent from the federal government.

Dew said 9 percent federal money is high. The district has many individuals utilizing federal Job Training Partnership Act program money from the Private Industry Council to attend the vocational-technical school. That money is counted as federal revenue.

The national average for total revenue is 55 percent local money, 42 percent state money and 3 percent federal money.

The Cape Girardeau School District spends an average $4,827 per pupil. The state average per-pupil expenditure is $4,142 and the national average is $4,890.

At Monday afternoon's board meeting, the board also approved a $500 expenditure to join a statewide lawsuit challenging the governor's authority to spend state school money for desegregation.

"As you can see," Clark said, "we are addressing every item possible to generate dollars."

The board also approved a recommendation to leave the bid process for senior yearbook photographs essentially unchanged.

A school committee made four recommendations, which were approved by the board. They are:

"Maintain the policy of providing every member of the senior class with the opportunity of having a yearbook picture made without incurring a sitting fee.

"Review the letter mailed to senior-class members explaining the yearbook picture process and attempt to further clarify the information concerning yearbook pictures, senior pictures, sitting fees, poses, etc. This letter shall also be posted at the winning photographer's place of businesses.

"The bid form process originates from and be returned to the office of the business manager of the Cape Girardeau School District. At completion of the bidding process, the Board of Education will formally adopt the winning bid.

"Senior picture specifications for the yearbook be more clearly defined in regard to head size, background, lighting ratio, hand props or other items deemed appropriate."

Cape Girardeau photographer Steve Robertson, who questioned the policy of awarding a contract for senior pictures to a single photographer, previously had asked to serve on the committee. But he said Monday that he was told he would not be allowed to serve on the committee.

He reiterated his request that the yearbook adviser publish standards for senior pictures which could be submitted by any photographer. "You could still have a recommended photographer, but don't force them to use that photographer."

The board voted to continue with the process of one photographer to take senior pictures for use in the yearbook.