So, You Want to be a Teacher?

Computer Workshop

February 15, 2006

The Bruner City School District prepared a budget for fiscal year 2006-2007 assuming that their operating levy would be approved by the voters. The budget projection included 5% raises for teachers and allowed for increases in several other cost items. Unfortunately, in last week’s elections, the levy was voted down. This means that the projected budget for 2006-2007 must be cut by 10% to get it down to anticipated revenues.

Members of school board have asked you, as District Superintendent, to prepare some optional budgets for them to consider at their upcoming meeting. All of the options must realize a 10% savings over the original budget projection. Here are the options that the school board had requested:

10% Across the Board Cut

You must cut each of the major budget items by 10%. For teacher salaries, you my cut the number of teachers or the salary per teacher or a combination of the two as long as you achieve the 10% cut from the original budget projection.

Protect Class Size

You may cut any cost items, but you may not increase the average class size.

Don’t Touch the Teachers

The Washington Education Association has gotten wind of the budget problems and has threatened a prolonged strike if teachers get hurt in the process of balancing the budget. Consequently, one option is that you not lay off any existing teachers (but you don’t have to hire new ones in response to enrollment growth) and you my not cut teacher salaries or benefits. This means you would have to pay the salary increase in the original budget projection.

Staff have prepared a spreadsheet budget model for you to use in exploring these options.