In 1993, to get a $25 Million School Bond passed the School Board told citizens of Manhattan-Ogden 383 that the school enrollment would grow from 6,790 students to 7,738 in three year. The bond issue passed.

At the time the district had two committees that made predictions on student population. The first said 7,738 students by 1998, the second committee said the student enrollment would stay at 6,800 from several years. Every year after the election (which passed) the student enrollment has dropped. In fact it has dropped from 6,790 students in 1993 to 5,386 2001 or 1,404 students.

But the school district built three new buildings to house 7,738 students. If you use that figure the district is down 2,352.

And the latest report from the State Association of School Board? The district will drop another 918 students by 2006.

What about the Budget? Well the budget is doing quite well, thank you. In 1996 with 6,212 students the budget was $41,430,796. This year with 5,368 students the budget is $55,116,783.

And what about 2002-03? Thank your lucky stars that the citizens have replaced most of the old school board. The administration will go kicking and screaming to the board but this board will look for area to cut.

Here is what the administration gave to the board at last weeks budget meeting. The SAVINGS and IMPACT section makes good reading: "We will not be able to feed the kids." Or, "If we cut this item each class will have 350 students.":

SECONDARY INSTRUCTION

BUDGET REDUCTIONS PROPOSALS

Proposal 1 - High school ISS position $20,000

Description of reduction: The current certified staff would move into a vacancy requiring a certified staff. The ISS position would be filled with as an hourly wage position. The ISS position does not require a certified staff. Savings: The change would result in a savings of $20,000.

Impact: There would be a possible reduction in quality of program without a certified teacher.

Proposal 2-Lunchroom aides $20,000

Description of reduction: These positions assist with supervision during lunch times. The proposal would eliminate most lunchroom aide positions at all secondary buildings. Savings: This proposal would result in a savings of $20,000. Impact: This proposal would result in increased administrator supervision duties.

Proposal 3 - Driver education $30,000

Description of reduction: This proposal is to eliminate driver education during the school year and offer driver education only during the summer school sessions. Savings: The savings is estimated at $30,000. (The current program could operate for approximately two years with program reserves for FY 200 1-02, FY 2002-03, and into FY 2003-04. It would require a minimum 100% increase in current fees [$100 - regular, $50 - reduced, $35 - free] for the program to be self supporting.) Impact: This proposal would result in increased class sizes in other elective classes during the school year and increased demand for the summer program The availability of instructors in the summer may be a concern.

Proposal 4 - Activity trips $9,600

Description of reduction: This proposal is to reduce the amount budgeted for field trips by 50%. Savings: The estimated savings is $9,600. Imp act: This proposal could reduce the quality of instruction/student learning due to lost opportunities outside the classroom. There could be an increase in events requiring students to pay an additional trip fee to take part in an activity.

Proposal 5 - High school P.E.. $35,000

Description of reduction: Reduce one high school P.E. staff position Savings: This proposal would reduce 1 F.T.E. staff position and result in a savings of $40,000. Impact: This proposal would increase average class size by 5 to approximately 30.

Proposal 6-Middle school elective class size #1 $35,000

Description of reduction: Class size averages in the elective areas are currently below 22. Savings: This proposal would reduce 0.5 F.T.E. staff and result in a savings of $17,500 at each middle school building for a 1 F.T.E. and $35,000 total savings. Impact: This proposal would most likely result in additional elective teachers traveling to multiple schools to teach.

Proposal 7-Middle school elective class size #2 $35,000

Description of reduction: This proposal would be an added reduction following proposal seven. Class size averages in the elective areas would be increased from the 22 of proposal seven to 24. Savings: This proposal would reduce 0.5 F.T.E. staff and result in a savings of $17,500 at each middle school building for a 1 F.T.E. and $35,000 total savings. Impact: This proposal would very likely result in less student opportunity in elective course selections. It would also require additional elective teachers traveling to multiple schools to teach.

Proposal 8 - Middle school elective class size #3 $35,000 Description of reduction: This proposal would be an added reduction following proposal nine. Class size averages in the elective areas would be increased from the 22 of proposal nine to 26. Savings: This proposal would reduce 0.5 F.T.E. staff and result in a savings of $17,500 at each middle school building for a 1 F.T.E. and $35,000 total savings. Impact: This proposal would very likely result in less student opportunity in elective course selections. It would also require additional elective teachers traveling to multiple schools to teach.

Proposal 9 - Reduce 1/2 core team of teachers $140,000

(no reduction in electives)

Description of reduction: This proposal would eliminate 1/2 of the current teaching teams at each middle school. Each school currently has four teams composed of four teachers (language arts, math, science, social studies). Each team is aligned around a common group of approximately half of the students in each grade and results in average team class sizes of 22-24 students. This proposal would eliminate one of these teams and create a 1/2 time team that travels between the two middle school. The 1/2 time team would still be based on a common group of students, but would not necessarily be oriented solely around one grade. Savings: This proposal would reduce 4 F.T.E. staff positions and result in a $140,000 savings at between the two middle schools. Imp act: This proposal, if currently implemented, would produce average team class sizes approaching 30 students which is believed to be inappropriate. This proposal would be considered acceptable if current declining student enrollment continues until grade sizes reach 200 or the buildings enrollment reaches 400.