CCSD BOARD TRYING TO TRIM EXPENSES
DAY OF RECKONING NEARS
By Alex Davis Endeavor News

Cameron County School Board members are sharpening their pencils to see how much of a projected budget deficit can be trimmed before the next school year starts.

An alternative to cutting additional expenses would be to raise real estate taxes.

Directors plan to vote on the district's 2008-09 budget on May 15. The most recent version of the plan projects a $488,000 deficit.

School Superintendent Clyde Moate reports that he is conferring with administrators and faculty at both schools in an attempt to trim expenses.

"I hope we don't ever have to raise taxes," Moate said. "We try to be frugal with the money we have."

Three big-ticket items are currently on the table: filling the third grade faculty position being vacated by Ron Horning, who is retiring; refurbishing tennis courts and repairing sections of the high school roof.

Moate said he has recommended that half of the tennis courts be upgraded, with $25,000 placed in the 2008- 09 budget for that work.

School board members have not yet reached a consensus on whether to recruit a successor for Horning's position, or spread out the incoming third-grade students over the remaining three teachers. Business Manager Carl Mitchell said an alternative that's being discussed is the hiring of a teacher's aide.

District officials appear to be in agreement that the roof project is inevitable.

Elementary teachers, as a cost-cutting measure, have postponed the ordering of new math textbooks. High School Principal Patricia Schwer said she has worked with teachers to trim costs in the purchase of new English and geometry materials.

A state subsidy of almost $7 million is expected for the 2008-09 school year, with district revenue pegged at about $3.5 million.

Another factor on the table is the school district's "fund balance," now at $2.5 million, which could be carried into the new school year or tapped to cover a portion of the forecasted income shortfall.

Much of the higher expenditure forecast for 2008- 09 is due to an increase of $275,000 for instruction costs, as well as $160,000 more in support services.