DASSEL-COKATO, MN - Since the Dassel-Cokato School District will not receive any new funding from the state, the proposed budget introduced at Monday’s meeting suggests the district will be deficit spending by $361,623 for the 2009-10 school year.
According to Supt. Jeff Powers, the district is in no danger and will be spending money from its fund balance reserve, the districts savings accounts.
The district is working with less money, yet it has the same expenses, explained Tina Palmer, district business manager.
The proposed budget is based on a student enrollment of 2,306, no increase in the general education formula, and the loss of a one-time funding of $51 per student.
Read more on this topic in Monday’s edition of the Enterprise Dispatch.
I hope that the school is planning on tightening it’s belt like every other business has had to do.
I have seen a drastic reduction in my pay. Maybe it is time for the school employees to see the same. For some of the positions it is ridiculous when you divide out their pay by the 9 months a year that they work. I have to work all 12 months to get my pay which isn’t even close to what they are paid. Time to join the rest of us out here struggling along. Before you jump all over me, I also have a college degree…some times with the economy you have to think of the overall picture. In order for the business I work for to survive through this I had to agree to work for less. It was better than no job at all.
Think about that school staff, or you may end up like the staff at McLeod West. The school will close and you will be out of a job period.
The staff payroll is the biggest portion of the school budget. Seems like you could make up the difference right there.
I don’t want to see them cut programs/classes again from the students. There is a bare minimum being taught right now at the schools.
As for the sporting programs that everyone targets first for the cuts…we pay fees for our children to participate. Look somewhere else.
Just one person’s opinion…
I agree that our school district needs to be fiscally responsible. With the last referendum we saw our real estate taxes increase 25%. Quite a nice increase for the school district. Now, our income did not increase 25%. Something else had to give to make up the increase in real estate taxes. Personally, I am sick and tired of the schools crying for increased monies because their expenses have increased. Like I said, we had to give up something to pay for the increased taxes. Add to that the increased oil prices, and we gave up a lot!! So, before the schools start asking for more money, I think it is imperative that they look at reductions. Try this, plan better your bus routes. I see two buses going by our home, and both are empty (we are at the end of the routes). How about combining the two routes? How about charging families for drivers education? Most school districts don’t provide this but rather invite driving schools to their buildings to provide instruction all at the expense of the students. Unfair? I doubt it because why have the entire district pay for this extra-curricular? And, let’s look at the sports programs. Are they entirely self sufficient? Do the fees pay for the entire cost? If not, increase the costs or eliminate the programs entirely. If football costss $400.00 per player, then have the families pay that amount. Like I said, my family had to give up some activities to pay the extra taxes - get used to it. I am tired as hell for having to make up the difference. I am lucky, I am still working, but my pay check is being stretched to the limits!!
I agree with both of the above statements. It seems in every other business that is struggling what are the first cuts? The highest paid employees, yet we don’t see any sign of the higher ups taking a pay cut. It makes me sick looking at how much money we pay them along with the benefits they receive. When times get tough all we hear is cutting teachers, well maybe it’s time to start cutting the pay, starting at the top! Just my 2 cents.