Solanco School District eyes cuts to sports, driver ed -
LancasterOnline.com News
Mar 22, 2011
The release of Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed 2011-12 state budget caused increased apprehension about future expenditures in the Solanco School District.
Board members learned Monday evening that Solanco will receive about $800,000 less than expected in state funding, forcing them to find ways to make up for a total deficit of $2.5 million in the district's proposed 2011-12 budget.
Superintendent C. Martin Hudacs presented a list of potential spending cuts that could yield savings of $1,104,312 to $4,866,812. But it would not be possible to implement all of the cost-saving measures in the upcoming year, even if the board approved every cut.
The decision of administrators to accept no pay raise next year will save the district $41,812.
"We appreciate your sensitivity to our situation," board president Daniel Bender said. Bender added that budget discussions will be held at every upcoming board meeting.
District officials also are looking at reducing staff positions through attrition when employees retire, as well as resignations and re-assignments that could save the district $200,000 to $600,000.
In addition, they are considering potential cuts in the athletics program, which could save the district anywhere from $20,000 to $110,000. Cuts in spending for driver education could save an additional $20,000 to $38,000.
Cyber and charter school funding was drastically cut in the state budget, leaving Solanco administrators thinking about trying to introduce students in those programs to the district's Virtual Academy. It is estimated that this could yield a cost savings of $25,000 to $200,000.
Hudacs said administrators are focusing on "what can be done to have the minimum impact in the classroom."
"You can see we have our work cut out for us. … I have full confidence in this board and administration to come up with some good decisions, but that doesn't mean it's going to be easy," board member Kurt Kreider said.
Bender added, "I would say we're in favor (of the potential cuts) at least as a starting point. … We don't know where the budget is going to end up."
Ralph Jones, of Georgetown, spoke to the board and encouraged the members to try to minimize tax increases.
"I'm not criticizing anyone," he said. "I understand these people are between a rock and a hard place. You have to treat government like fire. It has to be kept in the firebox."
"The power to tax is the power to destroy," Jones told board members.
In another matter, the board awarded a $7,260 bid to Cash & Carry in Quarryville for new light fixtures in the newer of two gymnasiums at Solanco High School. The expenditure could result in a $3,800 rebate from PPL.
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