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DCSD budget reduction plan in the works

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Contributed by: Douglas County School District on 4/3/2008

Douglas County School District is on its way to implementing a budget reduction plan for Fiscal Year 2008-09. This school year, we have faced some serious market adjustments which impacted our budget by an estimated $21 million.

These compounding factors, including slower student growth and a lower-than-expected Consumer Price Index (inflation rate), have impacted DCSD's budget. The following figures are projected losses and expenditures.

-- State-mandated retirement increases, health insurance expenditures, higher abatements. Cost= $2 million

-- DCSD enrolled 371 fewer students than expected this school year. Per pupil revenue loss= $2.4 million

-- A Vocational Ed Funding formula change resulted in decreased revenues. Loss= $1.2 million

-- A change in CDE's student count formula resulted in a two year payback. Cost= $1.1 million

-- Inadequate state funding formula for DCSD and low override revenue leads to annual deficit spending. In order to remain competitive with hiring and maintaining staffing ratios despite some of the lowest State funding in Metro Denver area means additional dollars spent annually. Cost= $5.5 million

-- Adjusting inflation projections from 3.6% down to 2.2%. Projected revenue loss= $4.2 million

-- Health insurance premium increases, utilities cost inflation, fuel costs inflations. Projected cost= $2.8 million

-- Next school year's anticipated enrollment will be down 319 students from earlier projections. Projected per pupil revenue loss= $2.1 million

District Planning has revised student projection numbers to anticipate 700 fewer students each year into the future. The Superintendent's leadership team has gathered feedback from District staff and feels it has a fair reduction plan moving forward.

Protecting staff and minimizing the impact on classrooms and learning were the priorities. As an organization, DCSD looked at its Central Office and Central Services first, to carry the largest portion of the reduction load. Leaders will reorganize departments to maintain services the best they can.

-- All Central Service divisions of our organization have been asked to reduce their budgets. Some departments cut Central Office operational budgets by more than 20%. Fifty three positions vacated as a result of retirements, resignations and growth will remain open. Departments have been curtailing spending of current budgets and minimizing expenditures for the rest of the school year. Estimated savings= $9 million

-- Grounds personnel will increase acreage ratios. Estimated savings= $80,000

-- Operations and Maintenance will move toward more contracted custodial services. Estimated savings= $200,000

-- Supplemental Instructional material funds provided to schools from Central Office will be suspended this year. Estimated savings= $1.5 million

-- Energy conservation will be expanded to include the entire District. Anticipated savings= $800,000

-- Secondary schools are being asked to temporarily reduce their Student Based Budgets by $20 per student. The average impact to a middle school is between $14,000 and $24,000. An average impact to a high school is between $28,500 and $46,500. These funds will be restored when the budget allows. Anticipated savings= $452,000

-- Money currently available to schools to support local programs from school building rental fees and Coca-Cola revenues will go back to the District's General Fund temporarily. Estimated savings= $747,000

-- DCSD will limit the level of substitute coverage available for teachers who are pulled out of schools for training. Estimated savings= $250,000

-- Second level staffing pools to adjust for classroom student ratio irregularities will be reduced by more than 50%. Estimated savings= $1.6 million

-- Activity bus service will be suspended and a fee-based, cost neutral system will be considered for the next school year. Projected savings= $400,000

Budget reductions are cyclical for Colorado school districts due to the poor funding model in Colorado. Many neighboring districts are also facing significant multi-million dollar reductions. Colorado State Law requires all school districts to maintain a 3 percent ending fund balance.

In DCSD our Board of Education requires a 5 percent ending fund balance to ensure the financial stability of the District. The Board of Education is considering a November 2008 election to bring much-needed additional funding to DCSD.

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