The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

November 16, 2009

Mankato schools set reduction timeline

By Tanner Kent

MANKATO — Budget cuts may still be several months away for Mankato Area Public Schools, but the School Board approved a timeline for the process on Monday.

Jerry Kolander, business manager for Mankato schools, iterated to board members that reductions are not yet a certainty and that accurate budget estimates won’t be available until January.

That month, teachers and school districts must reach contract settlements or risk a $25-per-pupil penalty. Also, Kolander said, the district will have a better idea of enrollments and staffing needs, especially at the new Rosa Parks Elementary where the district is still determining attendance levels.

“Hopefully, we won’t have to use these actions,” said Kolander about the reduction timeline, which pegs May 3 as the meeting when the board will make final decisions on possible cuts.

“But we do need to be prepared.”

Last year, the district reduced its budget by $3 million, cutting more than 50 full-time positions and reducing several extra-curricular activities and students clubs.

But in order to maintain a one-month expenditure reserve in the budget — per School Board policy — Kolander said another reduction is possible for the 2010-11 school year.

The causes, he said, are varied but not unexpected.

School districts generally plan on an annual expenditure increase of 2 to 3 percent for staff salaries. And while district and union officials in Mankato are still negotiating a contract for teachers, a similar increase is likely without some sort of wage freeze.

In addition, the district’s enrollment projections for this school year were about 40 students above the actual totals. With state aid amounting to slightly more than $5,000 per pupil, that’s an immediate loss of at least $200,000 in funding.

“That’s a revenue glitch we didn’t count on,” Kolander said.

Kolander further said there is no guarantee that state lawmakers won’t reduce state funding in the next legislative session in response to the state’s own budget challenges. Last year, the K-12 budget was frozen for the biennium and some aid payments were delayed.

District officials will begin meeting with principals and staff leaders in the coming weeks to discuss enrollments and budget forecasts. If needed, the School Board will take official action to begin the reduction process in March.

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