FARMINGTON -- Davis School Board members are considering cuts to programs, supplies, equipment and personnel for the upcoming school year in order to make budget.
Davis School District Assistant Superintendent Craig Poll presented those options to board members during their Tuesday workshop meeting.
Everything hinges on how much money the Legislature cuts from the education budget, Poll said.
A 1 percent cut equals about $3 million the school district would have to cut, while a 10 percent cut would equal $30 million.
Meanwhile, Assistant Superintendent Business Administrator Craig Carter presented several options on how to increase revenue if the state cuts are significant.
Among the options he included were increasing the voted and board leeway property taxes, as well as the capital levy property tax.
If the school board agrees to increase the taxes, it will generate additional funds to make up the shortfall from the state. It would mean the owner of a $200,000 home would pay an additional $65 a year.
"We're not asking for a decision, but just want you to be aware of the options," Carter said.
Voted leeway is used for general supplies such as textbooks and computer equipment and to fund the capital impact of opening new schools on the general budget, said Christopher Williams, the district's community relations director. Voters have to approve this tax before it is imposed.
The board leeway property tax is used to reduce class sizes, Williams said. The school board approves this tax before it is imposed.
Capital levy property tax is used for small remodeling projects, computer technology infrastructure and to help fund the purchasing of buses and vehicles. The board approves this tax before it is imposed.
If the school board decides to increase the tax levies, it will hold a truth-in-taxation hearing later this year to get input from property owners.
Poll's staff has sent questionnaires to principals, teachers and staff seeking input about what could be cut.
"Every program is being reviewed for possible savings," Poll said.
What cannot be on the chopping block without support from district employees are negotiated items, such as increases in insurance premiums, he said.
Some district employees are worried about what positions can be eliminated.
"People are more in a panic, and the meetings are getting a little more aggressive," Poll said.
"We are a people-intensive business," said Superintendent Bryan Bowles. "Almost 86 percent of our budget is people."
Bowles said students and parents were not as aware of cuts made this year as they may be when the next school year begins.
District officials may have to increase class sizes, but also may have to defer pay increases.
The district hired only 100 new teachers this year, compared with other years when it has hired 300, Bowles said.
Next year, it could hire fewer new teachers after it transfers teachers to other schools to meet the budget crunch.
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