State cuts would hit area schools

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Public school districts in 14 Southeast Missouri counties would lose a combined $16.12 million in state aid next year under the budget plan approved last week by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Among 59 area school systems, the Jackson district would lose more than any other -- nearly $1.42 million from what was appropriated for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30.

Assistant superintendent James Welker said the district has been anticipating a reduction in state funding but remains hopeful lawmakers will find a way to lessen the impact before voting on a final budget. If that doesn't happen, however, the district can get by in the short term.

"We don't have really large reserves, but with some adjustments we will be able to make it through the coming year," Welker said. "But it will be tough to do."

Jackson will also consider not replacing at least 10 employees who will retire at the end of the school year and postponing certain technology purchases and capital improvements.

Two other area school systems would join Jackson in cuts topping $1 million. Poplar Bluff would lose more than $1.29 million, while Sikeston's state take would drop nearly $1.19 million.

'Semblance of balance'

Sikeston superintendent Stephen Borgsmiller said his district is preparing for a number of possible scenarios and, like Jackson, should have sufficient financial reserves to absorb the cuts for a year. After that, though, its savings would be depleted.

"We are just taking a look at our numbers and planning accordingly to keep some semblance of balance and rationality to our student-teacher ratio and maintaining educational integrity," Borgsmiller said.

While a handful of smaller area districts would lose less than $100,000, most would experience cuts well above that amount. The Cooter School District in Pemiscot County, which has just 254 students, would get off the lightest with a funding reduction of just $4,809.

The current budget proposal, which the full Senate will take up today, calls for $337 million in cuts to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Of that amount, $314 million would come from direct state aid to local districts.

Gov. Bob Holden, a Democrat, said such deep cuts in education would be unacceptable, leading to the layoff of more 5,000 teachers statewide. If Republicans who control the legislature don't also approve a significant tax proposal to put before voters, Holden threatened to veto the budget.

The budget as it currently stands calls for about $200 million in new revenue from small tax increases and other measures that wouldn't require voter approval. Support for a major tax increase among Republicans who control the legislature so far remains lacking.

mpowers@semissourian.com

(573) 635-4608