Panel cuts $140,000 from Brewer school budget

BREWER – Ten reductions were used to squeeze out $140,000 from the draft 2006-07 school budget, reducing it to just under $15.8 million, and Business Manager Lester Young is not happy about where the reductions leave the school department.

“I’d say this is an unhealthy budget,” he told the school board during Monday’s regular meeting. “This is a budget that we’re going to have to monitor and watch.”

Brewer school officials originally asked for $15,934,532, but were directed by city leaders to reduce the amount to $15,793,804, which was approved by the board and represents an increase of $605,047 or nearly 4 percent over this year’s budget amount.

“It was not real easy to do this,” the business manager said.

The following is how the budget was reduced by Young, using approximate figures:

. The professional staff reimbursement fund was reduced by $10,000.

. Tuition, covering everything from after school to special education, was cut by $16,000.

. An open library spot will be filled by an education technician for a savings of $15,000.

. General fund budget line was reduced by $15,000.

. Local entitlement funds were used to pay for an additional education technician, saving $15,000.

. Three percent, or $12,000, of the federal No Child Left Behind funds was classified for administrative costs.

. Adult education funding was reduced by $500.

. The number of annually carried retirement stipends was cut from seven to five, saving $20,000.

. Capital outlay was reduced by $20,000.

. The Brewer High School trustees’ capital outlay was trimmed by $20,000.

The reductions total more than $140,000, Young said, “and that is the bottom line. It’s a very tight, scary budget.”

The school department budget worries Young because there is little flexibility, no contingency funds for unforeseen problems and a reduced carry forward amount, which during healthy years is typically 3 percent of the total budget.

“I’m hoping we have a positive balance,” Young said.

City councilors, who have the final say in the 2006-07 budget, were given the draft municipal, county and school budgets on June 9 and will host a budget hearing at 5:30 p.m. June 27 at City Hall to review and consider the figures. The final budget must be approved by the end of the month.