Budget cuts for Monroe schools force changes throughout district, but layoffs avoided

MONROE — A $64.3 million budget proposal to run the day-to-day operations in the Monroe School District reflects deep state and federal cuts and a projected drop in enrollment this fall.

The district has adopted a series of belt-tightening proposals, such as accepting $120,000 in contract concessions from administrators, consolidating its three middle schools into two and changing the kindergarten schedule to alternate days to save money in transportation costs.

The budget proposal also reduces the number of teachers serving the district of roughly 7,300 students. Much of the job losses would come from attrition through retirements and resignations. Fifteen of the 18 teachers who received notices of possible layoffs last spring have been rehired, school district officials said.

The Monroe School Board is scheduled to vote on the budget package at its Aug. 22 meeting.

The proposal projects a loss of 284 students from a year ago. School districts receive money from the state for each student enrolled in classes, which accounts for part of the loss of revenue.

The budget plan also expects about 25 fewer teaching positions and the loss of two administrative positions.

The spending plan represents nearly a $2 million reduction from the 2010-11 budget, according to district documents.

The district is currently in talks with its unions to discuss more potential state cuts.

“We anticipate continuing challenges with state funding,” school district spokeswoman Rosemary O’Neil said.

The district has been able to keep its classroom sizes about the same and plans to continue funding programs aimed at helping struggling students, O’Neil said.

Alejandro Dominguez: 425-339-3422; adominguez@heraldnet.com.