NEW ULM - District 88 Superintendent Harold Remme and school principals shared a list of potential changes to strengthen next year's budget, at a School Board work session Tuesday night.
The changes have a combined value of just more than $1 million.
The board is seeking to cut next year's budget by $1 million to $1.3 million, and asked administrators to come back with more ideas for cuts, to be considered at another work session March 6.
The board is planning to approve a cost-cutting plan at a regular meeting, on March 8 or 22; or else at a special meeting halfway between those dates.
The following potential steps were listed, in the order they were discussed:
* Implementing a four-day student week calendar ($125,000). This plan is still subject to state approval, said Remme. He expects to complete the 28-page application by early March and is hoping for a state decision on it by April.
The savings estimate is conservative, Remme also said. Staff would be impacted, especially hourly employees, he acknowledged.
* An early retirement incentive ($200,000). Eight licensed staff members have decided to take advantage of this incentive, said Remme. Depending on the area of certification, some retiree positions will not be replaced.
The savings estimate is based on an average $25,000 difference in the annual cost of an experienced, versus a beginning, teacher.
* An activity department adjustment ($51,600). The specific adjustments include: increasing participation fees for grades 9-12 by $20; charging students who receive free or reduced lunches 50 percent of a participation fee (versus no charge now); delaying uniform purchases; eliminating coach busing; shifting the concessions split to 60/40 from 80/20; attempting to collect admissions for track and softball; cutting the staff travel budget; and cutting the supply budget.
A possibility that generated some discussion was charging schools in cooperative agreements with District 88 the full price of participation. At current numbers, this step could bring in an extra $18,900.
Currently, students from cooperating schools pay the same fees as District 88 students, plus a 10 percent administrative surcharge.
Some board members said schools whose students participate in activities hosted by District 88 should be charged at cost.
Others countered that doing so may lead to dissolution of the partnerships, thus taking away revenue - while keeping fixed costs unchanged.
A coach in the audience observed that a change to this effect might prompt a student who really wants to participate in a District 88-sponsored sport to consider switching schools.
* River Bend adjustments ($8,000). These are adjustments in administrative fees due to enrollment changes and possible costs associated with Targeted Services.
* Cutting the equivalent of 10 teaching contracts ($500,000). The positions would include classroom teachers, special education and other support teaching personnel.
Both elementary and secondary class section sizes would increase by four-five students. Kindergarten section sizes could reach 23-24. Grades 1-3 could reach 26-29. Grades 4-6 could reach 28-30. Core high school sizes could reach an average of 27-29, with several over 30.
* German Land Trust transfer ($50,000). The funds may be used for replacing dollars reduced in areas of textbook purchase or classroom equipment. This special fund was created as an endowment for specific purposes. The estimated balance at the end of the fiscal year 2012 will equal $142,146.
* A custodial reduction ($33,000). The reduction may be a result of an hourly realignment due to the four-day week (in which case it was counted already) or would be the result of a full-time position elimination.
Custodial time is already at a critical point, said Remme. Further reductions will result in staff doing more things themselves.
* Increasing rental fees ($5,000). They have been stagnant for some years; an increase would recapture more of the actual operating costs.
* Bus route reduction ($38,000). This action would extend bus ride time for students on two-three routes by 15-20 minutes. The classroom impact would be 0.75 of a teaching contract.
* Moving to paid parking on a portion of the high school lot ($3,500). The plan is to maintain free parking on the high school lot directly west of the Annex. The area west of the high school would be for paid spots. The recommended rate for preferential parking would be $25 per semester. The school resource officer would be in charge of monitoring this option.
* Utilizing Friends of District 88 funds (currently $26,000). The funds should be applied to short-term needs. If possible, the donation requests should be respected.
* Not replacing a retiring nurse and contracting for pay-by-the-hour services with Brown County ($37,000) (if this is done, the early retirement incentive savings should be reduced by $25,000 because the nurse is one of the early retirees).
* Possible freeze on textbook purchases ($32,000).
Following the list presentation, board members raised a few questions. Highlights:
* Board member Susan Nierengarten called for additional suggestions in the area of activities, restating that the district's primary mission is academics.
* Board member Patricia Hoffman wondered if it would be possible to negotiate a partial trade-off with teachers: swapping 2-3 non-teaching staff-development days for free no-pay days, to increase the savings from the four-day student week plan.
* Board member Don Deslauriers asked if cuts can be made in the area of administration.
Administrators noted that administration is already bare-bones. According to the latest audit, on a per-student basis, New Ulm spends less than the state average, and less than similar-sized schools, on administration (but more on classroom instruction, special education, vocational education and transportation). There are more students per principal in New Ulm than state recommendations.