Districts trim modest budgets

The Freeman and Liberty school districts may not be facing shortfalls of millions of dollars like large school districts because of state budget cuts, but they will still have to tighten their belts and trim staff.

“We have not had to RIF anyone,” said Liberty Superintendent Bill Motsenbocker. “The cuts that we’re making are going to be outside of that area.”

One teacher moving into administration will not be replaced and the facility director position will be left vacant with the retirement of the current director. “We’re looking at reducing some hours of different classified positions, athletic reductions, combining of programs,” he said.

The district is anticipating a double whammy, with $160,000 less coming from the state plus a projected drop in enrollment that will raise the anticipated shortfall to $230,000.

“Our kindergarten numbers came in much higher than last year, so maybe we’re turning the corner here,” Motsenbocker said.

Likewise, the Freeman District is not laying off teachers. One teacher’s hours are being cut to part time from full time, and two staff members have requested to work half time. One teacher’s one-year contract will not be renewed and two para-educators who resigned will not be replaced, said Superintendent Sergio Hernandez.

The district needs to trim an estimated $367,000 from its budget. “We’ve just done a lot of belt-tightening,” he said. “The board has authorized us to use about $50,000 in cash reserves to save jobs.”

In addition, all administrators will give up a day of pay. Summer school has been cancelled. “Our coaches came up with a list of $22,000 in cuts,” he said. The coaches suggested the cuts, including reductions in pay, in order to avoid cutting teams.

While larger cuts have been avoided for now, both superintendents are wary of what may happen if the economy doesn’t rebound.

“If we have a similar situation next year, the cuts will be much more painful,” said Motsenbocker.