Cape, Jackson schools brace for 2 percent cut in state funding

School districts got an idea Wednesday of how state cuts will affect their budgets in the coming months.

A memo to administrators from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education outlined a 2 percent reduction statewide in formula funding. Gov. Jay Nixon said last month that the state could not afford the $43 million midyear payment to districts under the financing formula.

The Jackson School District faces a $270,216 cut from its $13.51 million in formula funding. Cuts to the Cape Girardeau School District's $6.45 million formula funding amount to $128,978.

"We haven't seen it in black and white," said Jackson superintendent Dr. Ron Anderson. "Guesstimates have been out there."

The district is looking at ways to save energy costs. He said vacant positions will also be targeted.

"Some of them have to be filled," he said. "We can't function without them."

Declining revenue, cuts to the formula funding and other state funding reductions could equal a $600,000 reduction in the district's $42.5 million budget, he said. According to the memo, the cuts will likely affect the June payment to school districts.

"There's not a lot we can do with it between now and June 30," Anderson said. The memo also forecast shortfalls in Proposition C sales tax revenue. The state is on track to see a 5 percent decrease from revenue in 2008-2009.

The cuts will make it more difficult to balance the budget for the coming fiscal year, said Cape Girardeau superintendent Dr. Jim Welker.

"If we're not able to make up this amount this year, it will affect our balances starting out next year," he said.

Cape Girardeau is also evaluating vacant positions, Welker said. The district also held off on some capital expenses in its $43 million budget.

He said the district has been planning throughout the year to address cuts to the next budget. The district held employee forums in November to discuss cost-cutting measures.

Reductions to the formula funding, the biggest source of state funds for districts, are subject to actions by the state legislature.

"It's possible, in other words, that there still could be something done about that," Welker said.

The Missouri House Budget Committee voted Wednesday for a different plan that would exempt some schools from cuts and result in larger reductions for others.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

Proposed reductions in formula funding

District Total Reduction

Advance $1.43 million $28,683

Altenburg $314,292 $6,286

Bell City $897,199 $17,944

Cape Girardeau $6.45 million $128,978

Chaffee $2.13 million $42,511

Delta $1.28 million $25,555

Jackson $13.51 million $270,216

Kelly $3.52 million $70,499

Kelso $309,199 $6,184

Leopold $817,566 $16,351

Meadow Heights $2.13 million $42,591

Nell Holcomb $1.15 million $23,081

Oak Ridge $1.42 million $28,308

Oran $1.45 million $29,036

Perry County $4.69 million $93,774

Scott City $3.4 million $68,057

Woodland $3.59 million $71,780

Zalma $1.02 million $20, 316

Pertinent address:

301 N. Clark Ave. Cape Girardeau, MO

614 E. Adams St. Jackson, MO