School layoffs, levy on horizon
Shrinking student enrollment is blamed for a forecasted $325,000 deficit in next fiscal year's Whitefish High School budget, but with taxpayers tightening their own belts, school district board trustees decided now wasn't a good time to ask voters to support a levy to make up the difference.
The board did decide to ask voters to approve a $40,643 levy for the elementary school district, which is facing a $125,000 shortfall for the next budget year.
High school enrollment is down 27 percent from a decade ago, and most of the general budget goes to staff salaries. That means "excess staff," school district clerk Danelle Reisch said.
Suggested cuts at the high school include three retirees who likely will not be replaced, a staff member's contract that might not be renewed, and two staff members who could be laid off. A special education aide could be transferred to the elementary district.
It also could mean eliminating the school resource officer position, superintendent Jerry House said. The district pays the Whitefish Police Department $25,000 for an officer to patrol the schools and interact with students and staff, of which 20 percent comes from the elementary district and the rest from the high school district.
"We simply don't have the money to continue doing that," House said.
The elementary district levy will cost the owner of a $200,000 home about $2.93 more in property taxes.
"It's pretty low impact," Reisch said. "That's why we're opting to do it."
About 75 percent of the levy will be used to sustain instructional materials, including paying annual subscription fees for library materials and computer-assisted tutorial programs and phasing in new reading textbooks. About $6,500 would go to replacing furniture at Muldown Elementary School, and $3,500 would be used for the performing arts program at the Whitefish Middle School auditorium.
But the levy won't be enough to make up the forecasted elementary budget deficit. That means some staff reductions could be necessary, including eliminating a copy aide position and a custodial job.
"We're looking at programs and contracts as we continue to try to find ways of making this thing work," House said.
The grim budget situation has an upside, House said — it gives the district a chance to review how it provides education and may provide an opportunity to make innovative changes.
Some changes already are in the works, including implementing a freshman academy at the high school next fall and introducing 21st century skills classes.