Staring down the barrel of a $29 million shortfall, Jordan School District Superintendent Barry Newbold announced a new round of budget cuts for 2010-11.
Precisely where the cuts will fall is unknown. The Jordan School Board will spend the next two to four months weighing options, and it may not take action until early spring.
But on the table are job cuts, a permanent 2 percent pay cut for all employees, a three-day furlough, bumping up class sizes by four students and the elimination of programs and services.
"These are just options," said Newbold, who nevertheless warned cuts are imminent and "there are no easy or simple solutions."
It's early in the budget cycle, about four months early. School districts won't know how much money they have to spend until the legislative session wraps up in March.
But by getting a jump on next year's budget, the board hopes to minimize pain and suffering through more surgical cuts.
"We appreciate having the information now so this can roll around in our minds," said board President Peggy Jo Kennett.
Lawmakers have told education officials to expect anywhere from a 3 to 7 percent cut next year. That, coupled with plunging property tax collections tied to the recession and the Jordan school district split, is projected to lead to a $29 million shortfall, said Newbold.
Board members gave no hints Tuesday where they're leaning. The board nearly depleted district reserves to balance this year's budget, leaving them little wiggle room.
Most immediately, Newbold recommended shedding central-office administrative jobs through attrition, increasing class sizes and reducing athletic travel and eliminating nonmandatory bus routes.
But these and other program cuts would leave the board still $9 million shy of its cost-shaving goal.
For a detailed look at other options, visit: http://www.jordandistrict.org
