USD 489 outlines costs associated with specific programs

Facing a $1.3 million budget shortfall for 2014-15 school year, Hays USD 489 has considered everything from teacher layoffs to instituting new fees.

And at Monday’s meeting, USD 489 offered figures attached to virtually every potential budget cut — ranging from closing schools to cutting sports. Click here to download the document.

Already, the district has made the procedural moves that would offer the option of non-renewing approximately 20 staff positions, although the exact number of positions to be lost remains unknown. As proposed, the move would save the district approximately $975,000.

On a handout presented at Monday’s meeting, “possible general fund reductions” — and the potential savings for each — were presented. None have been acted upon by the board to this point and many, according to Superintendent Dean Katt, have already been taken off the list such as completely cutting the music and athletic programs.

Katt described the the document as a “brainstorming” list considering all possible reductions the district may have to look at in the future “As we go along (the items are just ideas) if legislature continues to cut school funding.”

However, Katt said the administration and the school board are still looking at reducing transportation costs and charging a kindergarten fee – items scheduled for Monday’s school board meeting.

Shifting kindergarten from all-day to half-day, for example, would save the district an estimated $314,000, mostly in the form of staff reductions.

Closing Washington Elementary School, one of the proposals in the facilities needs committee’s list of recommendations, would save the district approximately $903,000 — mostly in the form of releasing 15 staff members and selling the building.

The elimination of substitute teachers would save the district $140,000 and reducing sick time pay for new employees would save $124,000.

Moving to a four-day school day is projected to save the district approximately $230,000.

The largest potential savings listed would be elimination of health insurance for employees district-wide, an expense of more than $2.5 million.

When it comes to curriculum and activities, the costs of programs in their entirety also were presented, and potential savings should the programs be eliminated or kept to mandated minimums also were offered:

• Art program, $318,000
• Vocal music program, $305,000
• Orchestra program, $109.000
• Instrumental music program, $155,000
• Non-athletic extracurricular activities, $67,000
• All athletic programs, $479,000
• Physical education programs, $639,000
• Industrial technology program, $305,000
• Business program, $166,000

Staffing cuts to meet required minimums also were listed, with potential savings.

Click here to download the document.