School budget calls for building closures

Terry Webster

Thursday, April 19, 2001 | 11:10 a.m.

Programs and buildings would be shut down under a tentative 2001-2002 budget being proposed by the Clark County School District. The building closures would be temporary, continuing only through the hot summer months.

Faced with rising utility costs, the district wants to shut down buildings that are not used during the summer. Additionally, some staffers might be asked to work earlier shifts, beginning work at 5 or 6 a.m., in an effort to save money on utility costs. School Board members also are concerned about the lasting effects of eliminating extra curricular programs or asking families to pay to participate in athletics and fine and performing arts programs.

Those are just two of the issues under discussion as the district moves to trim costs. The tentative budget does not provide funding for money related to incorporating the Edison Schools project. And it has no allowance for costs relating to the reorganization plan, which divides the district into five regions while keeping the overall district whole. The budget does not support salary increases or arbitration awards. One of the items included in the $1.2 billion spending plan is an estimated $30 increase in state per pupil funding.

Chief fFinancial Officer Walt Rulffes said the district needed a $98 increase in state per-pupil funding to maintain the current level of programming.

The tentative budget does include the lease or purchase of $11 million for buses and vehicles and $22.5 million for current employee contract salary increments and professional growth. The budget also provides for increases for utility costs and a plan to increase class sizes. The budget also calls for the pupil-to-teacher ratio to be increased from 31 to 32 students per class in the secondary level. Board members Wednesday asked school officials for the criteria that was used to compose a listing of programs that will come under fire if any additional cuts are needed. Superintendent Carlos Garcia said some programs are being run without any data that proves whether they are successful or beneficial.

"They are not giving the bang for the buck," he said. Rulffes presented the board with a listing of 53 programs totaling $64 million and an outline for assumptions being made under the tentative 2001-2002 budget.

The higher ticket items on the list include the English Language Learners Program for non-English-speaking students ($11.3 million), interscholastic athletics ($7.6 million), elementary school teachers who are technology specialists ($4.5 million), secondary teachers who are technology specialists ($4.1 million), Horizon/Sunset licensed personnel ($3.7 million) and the KLVX Communications Group ($2.7 million).