The Daily Dispatch

The $8.4 million budget for the Breckenridge School District this year reveals zero percent debt, partly due to the roughly $478,000 trimmed months ago in staff reductions and other savings, according to the budget committee. Without the cuts, the school's deficit could have run to $1 million next year.

"The amount [would have] doubled because it affects the reserves," said Neil Kusler, business manager. "If you didn't make cuts, you'd still have that in the expenses, so you'd have that again next year."

The district's budget includes half a million dollars in federal funding to help substitute $880,000 lost in state aid this year. Twenty-seven percent of the school's state funding has been deferred until 2010, more than double the amount compared to previous years.

"You have to receive it as income, even though you don't have it," said budget committee member Dana Wiertzema, at the meeting Tuesday. Seventy-five percent of the school's budget relies on state funding. The federal funding is a one-time savings through the state government, and hopefully it will return next year, said Kusler.

The budget also includes:

• $1 million federal funding;

• $7 million in expenditures;

• $63,000, which includes asbestos removal. The costs are levied;

• $50,000 for softball field improvements;

• $44,000 for gym ceiling repairs at the elementary-middle school;

• A $12,000 shortfall in the community education fund, which can be covered by reserve funding this year. The school's pre-school program may change in 2010.

Food service revenue will increase this year as the state and federal-funded K-12 lunch program will be offered for a full year. Food service rates have not increased.

"Because the percentage of students who qualify for the program is so high, it actually brings in additional revenue," said Kusler. Last year, the district could only offer the program for half a year.

"I think [Stephanie Beyer, food service director] is doing an excellent job," said Schmidt. "She's really turned that balance around."

The budget is set for the school board's consideration at the November meeting.

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