2009-10 BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

Here is a summary of issues affecting the 2009-10 budget:

• General fund base state aid for 2008-09 was decreased mid year by $33 per student from $4,433 to $4,400 causing a $2 million decrease in regular state aid.  For 2009-10, the state reduced the funding level by an additional $182 to $4,218 per student resulting in a further loss of $12 million.  Additionally, state funding for special education was reduced by $6 million. The 2009 ARRA legislation is expected to generate an additional $5 million in federal special education funding.   With this increase, the federal government funds 17 percent of the special education program despite legislation requiring the federal government to fund 40 percent of the cost.  Consequently, General and Supplemental General (LOB) funds subsidize the special education program by more than $30 million dollars.
• In spite of decreased state funding (both restricted and unrestricted) in 2009-10, the district continues to support instruction and made cuts as far as possible from the classroom. Funding decreases in the proposed budget resulted in the elimination of 62 positions, including the following:

Ø  Eliminate Dunbar day care program—8 positions

Ø  School resource officers—11 positions (city of Wichita employees)

Ø  Administration & Operations—15 positions

Ø  Reduction in teacher and administrator training and travel

Ø  Increased employee share of health premiums 

Ø  School intervention programs

Ø  Reduction of Urban League learning center services—1 position

Ø  Elementary teacher learning coaches—19 positions

Ø  Elementary librarians--3 positions

• The 2009 Legislature also eliminated $4.6 million of Capital Outlay state aid for USD 259.  This reduction will result in the delay of numerous projects.

·         Current state law limits schools to a local option budget (LOB) of 31 percent of the general fund. Wichita’s 2008-09 budget maintained a 30 percent LOB.  Because Kansas school districts’ general fund budgets were reduced by state law due to state revenue shortfalls, the 2009 legislature approved a hold harmless provision whereby Kansas districts may adopt a LOB at the same level as 2008-09.

·         Last year the district increased by 441 students.  The 2009-10 budget has been built presuming no increase in the number of students.