COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin Area School District's 2011-12 budget was tentatively adopted Tuesday night with only minor reductions in staff and service compared to neighboring districts, but Superintendent James Zack is worried more about the 2012-13 school year.
"Come next year, the board will be in a tremendous and difficult position. It will not be a pleasant task," he said, suggesting district employment could be cut by as much as 94 teachers and staff.
That's because while the general fund balance will cover a $4 million deficit in the budget for the upcoming school year, that money won't be available going forward.
"Although we're OK next year, it gets much worse," he said.
Due to Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed massive cuts of state funding for education, many districts are scrambling to balance their budgets with prospects of cutting programs or staff.
In 2011-12, the budget for Shamokin Area will be $31,836,636 with no real estate tax millage increase. The board does plan, however, to eliminate the K-4 program, elementary computer instruction, field trips, professional development and summer help.
Staff reductions for 2011-12 would be done through attrition, said Zack, as when workers resign or retire and are not replaced. The current full- and part-time staff is at 325, plus 131 coaches and advisers.
"We hope that (the reduction and eliminations) is not the case, but the reality is we have to make those kind of decisions," said Zack.
As a result of financial concerns, the board voted to suspend any new plans to the $13 million elementary school expansion project. Zack said the project has been discussed since 2004. It would bring students from the Shamokin Area Annex back to the current elementary school.
In the 2012-13 school year, Zack said the district must reduce the expected $32,780,806 budget by $4 million, which may trigger the first tax increase since 1992. Staff may be reduced from 325 to 231 and coaches and advisors may be reduced from 131 to 65.
Between now and October, Zack said, administrators will review all mandates, programs and cost saving plans and be prepared for recommendations by December for the 2012-13 school year. By March 2012, notices will be sent to inform all parties of reduction, demotions or eliminations.
The proposed budget is expected to be formally adopted June 21.
In other business, the board said its May 17 meeting will be moved to 5 p.m. May 19. May 17 is the primary election.