Video Story
Watch VideoFamilies likely to feel pinch of Lewis Palmer budget deficit
Story By: Andy Koen
Source: KOAA
Lewis Palmer School District 38 is looking for ways to make up for $1.8 million budget shortfall projected for the 2008-2009 school year, and it looks like parents will be on the receiving end of the cuts. The board decided last month to move ahead with plans to open the new Palmer Ridge High School this fall despite the lack of funds. A tax increase that would have paid to staff the school failed last November.
District spokeswoman Robin Adair says a hiring freeze, increases in student fees and lifting enrollment restrictions are among possible moves the district could make in order to balance the budget. She says parents could end up paying the most because of proposed fee increases on busses, field trips, athletics and special activities.
"I think families can anticipate it is going to be more expensive for a lot of the activities and a lot of the services they've received in past for less," Adair said.
Adair says the district is basing the budget decisions on the assumption that they will not get a mill levy increase in the future. Lifting enrollment restrictions will allow for larger student populations in all District 38 schools, and it will also bring in more tax money from state headcounts. However, Adair says the hiring freeze will prevent schools from bringing in extra teachers to meet the increased demand.
The school board has already cut $250,000 from their current budget to help cut costs. A vote the school board on the 2008-2009 budget is expected sometime in the next two months.
