Just weeks after announcing measures to cut $325,000 in expenses from its annual budget, the Wright City R-II School Board approved a second round of expense reductions that will slice an additional $85,000 from the district's annual operating budget. The latest round of cuts are the result of more state budget reductions expected May 7. The budget landed early on Gov. Nixon's desk as legislators beat their timetable a week ahead of time. Under the proposed spending plan, the foundation funding formula for elementary and secondary public schools will remain flat. But the state budget includes significant decreases in school transportation and in Parents as Teachers (PAT) funding. "Based on the budget passed by the Legislature, we know more, but not all of what funding will look like in the year ahead," said R-II Superintendent Dr. Chris Gaines. He noted the current legislative session ends May 14 and believes there is a likelihood that further adjustments in the formula may be in store before lawmakers head out for the summer. Gaines told board members and others attending the board's April 19 meeting that districts in the state face "unprecedented uncertainty" in a period of declining revenue, and that even after a state budget and education funding formula are in place, there could be midyear reductions following the November elections. The board approved a number of new cuts that include reducing the use of certified mail, the elimination of staff holiday gifts and the reduction in board travel for conferences. They also passed measures that would consolidate positions, reductions in staff tuition reimbursement education and Parent as Teacher services. Staff Consolidations, PAT Reductions The board also approved moving responsibility for oversight and administration of the academy to the middle school assistant principal. At its March meeting, the board approved the elimination of the academy director position as part of its first round of cuts. The Academy will be relocated from its current rental space to the middle school. The board passed another change where the athletic director duties will now be an added responsibility for middle school and high school assistant principals. The district also will consolidate its middle school football program into one team and combine a psychological examiner and process coordinator into a single position. "The state has cut PAT funds by 50 percent, meaning a drop of about $30,000 for our district," said Gaines. "We will look to reduce PAT services by a like amount." The district has contracted with the child and family services agency Youth in Need for many of these services. Board members were in agreement with all items presented by the administration, except for eliminating the annual staff party, which several said is important to expressing appreciation for all that teachers and staff do for students and the community. The cost of the party is less than $2,000. The district also will cut in half the amount it spends in staff tuition reimbursement. Gaines said that while the state education budget suffered hits, "overall we took fewer hits than other departments." "Unfortunately, we remain in an uncertain status," he said in a posting on the school's Web site. "Several bills and/or amendments are out there that manipulate the foundation formula, and each of those impacts us differently, resulting in a swing of about $297,000 from best to worst case." Gaines said the budget will be the topic of the next Town Hall meeting May 11.