Jackson schools reducing cuts after funding is restored

One year ago, the Jackson School District faced a $1.76 million spending deficit even after severe cuts to staff and expenditures. Student programs were considered next on the chopping block.

However, the axes have been put away for the coming school year. State and local funding have increased, allowing the Jackson School Board to approve a $28 million balanced budget for 2004-2005 at its Tuesday night meeting.

"Things turned out much better than we thought," said Jim Welker, Jackson's assistant superintendent of finance.

Last June, Welker had anticipated ending the current fiscal year with fund balances around 4-percent of total expenditures, barely above the state-required 3-percent balance. Because of a release of state funding, the district actually ended the year with around 8 percent, or nearly $2 million, in reserve.

This allows the district to move forward on projects that were put on hold last year, such as technology purchases, maintenance work and the purchase of big-ticket items like school buses.

Six more positions unfilled

"We're able to do some of those things, but we want to be cautious because we're not sure what the future's going to hold," Welker said.

The district is again reducing teaching positions by attrition -- not replacing some teachers who have voluntarily left the district through retirement or resignation. Last year, 17 positions went unfilled. This year, approximately six full-time teaching positions will not be replaced.

The financial improvements allowed for a $500 base increase in the district's teacher salary schedule. According to superintendent Dr. Ron Anderson, that increase will mean a total 3 percent increase in teacher salary expenditures for next year over 2003-2004 expenses. Teachers will receive raises for increased years of experience and continued education.

"I think it's more than what I expected. We were pleased with that percentage increase," said Marilyn Turner, a teacher who serves on the district's salary and welfare committee.

cclark@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128