Lincoln County Schools budget could take an additional $2.5 million hit next school year
Lincoln County Schools could see an additional $2.5 million hit to its budget next year. Business Manager Julie Baldwin said the state forecast for the current year is down by $306 million statewide from the end of the last legislature. So far there are no mid-year cuts to K-12 she said, but future forecasts are likely to be affected.
As for the 2012-13 school year, Baldwins reported to the school board that the state schools fund is likely to be $25 million less than the current year, resulting in a funding drop to Lincoln County Schools of about $235,000. In addition, “School Year Subaccounts” will not be available to districts. “These two factors, combined with ‘roll up costs’ for the coming year could result in a reduction of about $2.5 million compared to this year’s budget.
One brightening element for the school district is that recent steep declines in student enrollment have leveled off, giving funding levels a bit more certainty. However what remains uncertain is the elimination of federal grant funds, federal forest timber receipts and questionable funding levels for state education services districts.
