Computer catches blame for school funds shortfall

Stanwood-Camano juggles it's budget

By BRIAN KELLY Herald Writer

STANWOOD -- The Stanwood-Camano School District overspent its 1999-2000 budget by more than $525,000, and the computer snafu that is being blamed for the problem has also put the district's new budget out of kilter to the tune of $400,000.

School board members are now considering "drastic changes" to the 2000-2001 school year budget, which could mean fewer teachers and programs this fall than previously planned.

"These are not cuts. We're just really staying at the same level," Steven Bodnar, interim district superintendent, told the school board Tuesday night.

"We're just not able to do as much as we hoped," he said.

About $65,000 in new spending for fifth- through ninth-grade enhancement programs will be cut, as well as another $50,000 in additions to the district's maintenance program. Outdoor education was trimmed by $10,000, and multiple cuts were also made in district office, transportation and maintenance budgets.

The district will also cut a teacher-on-special-assignment position, a part-time payroll position, and the volunteer/homeschool coordinator position. Officials will also chop contingency positions in the district's special education program.

The estimated enrollment for the new year was also increased from 2.7 percent growth to 3.4 percent growth, which is an increase of 31 new students in the district's elementary schools. Officials are hoping that the estimate pans out because the larger enrollment number will mean more funding for Stanwood-Camano schools.

"I don't want people to get the impression that the district is desperate, that it's broke," said board member Terry Greer.

"It's not a budget based on desperation," he said of the new spending plan.

"It's tighter, probably tighter than anyone would desire," Greer added.

Cathy Bradshaw, business director for the district, said the budget problems were largely due to computer file-transfer errors made while estimating the costs of medical benefits for classified employees. Approximately $393,000 in medical benefit costs were not included in the 1999-2000 budget; the unanticipated costs are about $400,000 in the budget for the upcoming school year.

The accounting mistake, discovered this summer, is about 1 percent of the annual $32 million budget.

The district had a budget reserve of $1.2 million at the end of the 1998-1999 school year, which will help offset the unexpected costs.

The district's cash balance at the end of July was more than $623,000, Bradshaw said.

It may take two years or more to build the reserve back up to its previous level, and board members asked Bradshaw to come up with a plan for rebuilding the reserve.

"I'll give it my best shot," she said.

The school board plans to amend its 1999-2000 budget during the board meeting on Aug. 30, and revisit the 2000-2001 budget in December when enrollment numbers will be more firm.

http://www.heraldnet.com/Stories/00/8/23/12895559.cfm

-- Doris (reaper1@mindspring.com), August 23, 2000