Following the saying, "Hope for the best, plan for the worst," the Wright City R-II School District is moving ahead with plans for summer school as usual this year with the caveat that things could change depending on the outcome of education funding in the state's budget. "At this point, we are moving forward with Wright City R-II summer school in the same manner as we have in previous years," the district stated in a letter to parents. "However, we may have to cancel or scale back summer school later this spring. If we do, we would notify all enrollees at that time." In the meantime, district officials are encouraging students and parents to send in registration information as usual. The deadline for the Missouri state Legislature to pass a budget is May 7, and if Gov. Jay Nixon vetoes the budget, the decision would be even later. As the state seeks to reach a balanced budget required by law, one item on the chopping block is funding for summer school. The state's fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30, the same as the school district. This year's summer school, while occurring primarily in June, is considered an item for the next fiscal budget cycle. "If we receive news that funding is reduced or removed, we will have to revisit holding summer school or lose several hundred thousand dollars," said Superintendent Dr. Chris Gaines. "This may mean we have a scaled back version." Gaines said that the Legislature is looking to cut the existing budget by $500 million next year as Missouri struggles with declining revenues. In what he refers to as a time of "unprecedented uncertainty," Gaines says the proposals and talks in Jefferson City range from one end of the spectrum to the other, or from maintaining funding for summer school to eliminating it altogether. Two compromise scenarios also are being discussed: One would cap funding at 12 percent of the district's enrollment as of the last Wednesday in January, or 171 students in the R-II district. The second would fund only core classes, eliminating funding for enrichment classes. "These are the scenarios on the table now," said Assistant Superintendent David Buck. "There may be others that emerge."