School Board eyes budget amid feared state cuts

Terry Webster

Tuesday, April 17, 2001 | 11:37 a.m.

The Clark County School Board this week will tackle the 2001-02 budget outlook in the midst of threatened cutbacks by the state Legislature.

It all begins Wednesday with two budget meetings and concludes Saturday with informational meetings held at seven locations throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

"We're going to be reviewing how the budget was developed, what we think our potential revenues are and where our money will be spent," School Board President Mary Beth Scow said. "Right now so much is unknown. We still don't know how much our revenues will be, and we do not know how (employee) negotiations are going to go."

Scow added that since the district already has slashed $50 million from the budget, school officials are starting off at a deficit.

Rising utility costs remain a major concern, she said.

Once again, the board will be looking at all areas for potential cuts. That process will begin with a listing of all programs and what they cost.

"We're looking at all areas," board member Sheila Moulton said.

Moulton said she refuses to believe the state Legislature will not come through with needed funding for the district.

"I can't believe they will just let us die on the vine for two years," she said.

The board is holding budget workshop sessions at 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday. The morning meeting will be held at KLVX Communications Group, 4210 Channel 10 Drive, followed by the evening meeting at Las Vegas Academy Performing Arts Center, Ninth and Clark streets.

At 2 p.m. Saturday the board will conduct a series of public information meetings on the budget at locations throughout the city, as follows: