At their regularly scheduled meeting of July 30, the Lopez School Board approved an annual budget for school year 2008-09, with a General Fund amount of approximately $4.1 million. The overall budget also includes $1.6 million in Capital Projects funds, reflecting voter approval of last February’s Capital Projects Bond for eight different projects at the school.

Based upon a budgeted projection of 208 full-time equivalent (fte) students (down from 213 for the 2007-08 budget), the 2008-09 budget includes an approximately $280,000 carryover from 2007-08 and a projected 2008-09 ending fund balance of approximately $280,000. Included in a separate reserved fund balance is an approximate $215,000 insurance settlement that is being reserved by the District for future major maintenance projects and facility upkeep.

A District Budget Committee provided significant input and guidance to administrators and business office staff during the budget development process. Sitting on this committee were teacher and classified bargaining unit representatives, administrators, community members, and School Board representatives.

Despite enrollment reductions, escalating non-employee-related costs, such as fuel and utilities, and the rising costs of paying mandated human resources obligations not fully funded by the state, the District was able to maintain its current levels of instructional and classified staff. To achieve the balanced budget required by law, the District reduced certificated time by .3 fte (through attrition), District administrative staff time by .25 fte, and classified staff hours by 3.5 hours per day. Teacher supply money was also reduced by one-half. If student enrollment grows, more funds will be awarded from the state and the District will review these reductions and other needs.

“It is a credit to our staff, Board and a community who holds us rightfully accountable that we are able to operate in a fiscally conservative manner while still maintaining the high standards of education for which we have gained renown,” stated Superintendent Bill Evans.