SCHOOL WINDFALL RAISES BUDGET QUESTIONS

Public school districts in Cape Girardeau and Jackson ended the year with higher-than-expected fund balances. The Cape Girardeau district received a greater-than-anticipated state payment of $697,996 and underspent its budget by $106,407. As a result, year-end balances are nearly $1.5 million, a far cry from the anticipated $428,000.

Jackson's schools experienced a similar windfall. The district ended the year with more than $1 million more than forecast for its fund balances. Officials credited conservative budgets and consistent growth in state and local funding.

But in Cape Girardeau, the celebration has been tempered by questions about timing.

Why didn't the district know about the surplus before the final days of the budget year? The district might have been able to avoid slashing $1 million in spending -- including a pay freeze -- from the budget just a month ago, a painful process that left ill feelings among some teachers, parents and staff.

The bigger balances weren't anticipated because they came through several different accounts, said Steve Del Vecchio, the district's business manager. He said the $750,000 difference still came within 3 percent of the $24 million total budget.

Responding quickly to the good news, the school board today will look at funneling part of the surplus into teacher salaries. The board is expected to allow teachers to move up on the salary schedule, which provides additional income for years of service and professional development.

Many teachers don't consider the salary steps as a raise, but it is. A bigger paycheck reflects an increase in pay. In fact, some district patrons may wonder why the board should approve the raise considering the fact district funds may still not be at optimum balances.

The $340,000 price tag for the teacher raises would put the majority of the new money where it's needed. Excellent teachers deserve a raise. But no one wants to go through this budget-cutting exercise again next year.

Meanwhile, the school board is also developing two committees to study district finances and teacher preparation periods. While public input is always valuable, these seem weighty issues that board members should intensely scrutinize before any decision on teacher salaries. Both are subjects are controversial, and decisions would best be left to the officeholders who are elected to make these tough decisions.

The turn of events has certainly provided local school officials with a sense of relief about district finances. But the board should not be lulled into a false sense of security. Despite the additional revenues, the district still had a deficit in general-fund spending of $215,000. And while overall balances are heading upward, they will probably still be below state-recommended minimums.