2-10-10 | Deep school cuts considered | Salt Lake Tribune

Deep school cuts considered

by Lisa Schencker | Salt Lake Tribune | Updated: 02/11/2010 09:37:57 AM MST

Less busing for students.

No money for new school library books.

Fewer programs for at-risk kids.

They all are options lawmakers are considering as they struggle to come up with ways to cut public education by up to an additional 5 percent next school year. That cut would be on top of a 5 percent cut schools faced this year and the lack of federal stimulus money that helped keep the education budget afloat last year.

The legislature's public education budget committee will likely vote on a list of possible cuts Thursday.

Everyone is hoping lawmakers will find additional money for schools -- more than $400 million more -- either through a bump in revenue estimates due next week or by dipping deeper into Rainy Day reserve funds. If that extra cash doesn't materialize, Utah classrooms could be facing some harsh realities.

"I think we're all hoping that in the end it's not this," State Superintendent Larry Shumway said of budget options presented Wednesday. He said he has faith, based on the Legislature's past actions, that schools will be treated fairly.

Lawmakers are now considering two sets of proposals for arriving at the level of cuts targeted: One designed by lawmakers and the other by the State Board of Education.

Neither is pretty.

Both propose cutting some state funding for school buses, which could mean kids would have to live farther from school to still get bus service. Now, the state

reimburses districts for the costs of transporting elementary school students who live more than 1.5 miles from school and secondary students who live more than 2 miles from school. The legislative proposal calls for expanding that radius for students in grades 7-12 to three miles.

Both proposals also call for cuts to a number of programs, though the state board would see cuts spread in equal proportions among all programs, including the $1,700 and $2,500 raises teachers have seen in past years, and per pupil spending.

Leaders of the public education budget committee would rather see bigger cuts hitting some programs and sparing others. The legislative proposal would cut basic per pupil spending by 5.3 percent, and the board proposal would cut it by 7.4 percent.

Shumway argued that because all programs affect kids, everything, including per pupil spending should be cut equally if cuts must be made.

Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper, said he agreed that "These funding line items we're looking at absolutely impact the quality of education inside our classrooms."

But committee co-chairman Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, argued that he'd rather see programs cut than see basic per pupil spending take a big hit.

"I love the science program. I love the arts. I could go down the list," said Stephenson. "But when it comes to that classroom, that's where kids are affected day in and day out."

Senate budget chair Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, warned committee members that it will likely be difficult to hold public schools harmless next school year.

"We don't have the money, and that's the challenge," Hillyard he said.

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