ELC considers austere budget

The wolf is at the door at schools across Iowa, and Estherville Lincoln Central is no exception.

Gov. Chet Culver's 10 percent across-the-board cut means $643,000 less in state funding for ELC this year, a figure that next year could grow to as much as $1 million with negative allowable growth.

Superintendent Dick Magnuson told the ELC Board of Education Monday night how those numbers would impact the district and how the district is trying to deal with them.

For the current year, Magnuson said the district can use up to $540,000 in federal stimulus money to partially offset the lost revenue. Other measures include reducing spending and using cash reserves.

But next year could be much worse.

"To make up for next year we will have to reduce," Magnuson said. And, with 85 percent of district spending in salaries, Magnuson said the district will have to reduce staff.

For one, there's no more federal stimulus on the horizon for next year. Add to that a possible additional 5 percent reduction in state money. Yet another factor is declining student enrollment. The district, which had anticipated an increase of about 30 students this year, actually had a net loss of six students.

"It looks pretty bleak for next year," said Magnuson. "This year we can hold our own. It's going to be a tough year next year."

It appears cutting costs will be the solution.

"It starts with cost containment," Magnuson said. He said every purchase order will be scrutinized and restructuring and reorganizing will be considered.

Butler resigns from board

In other business Monday, the board acknowledged with regret the resignation of Karen Butler from the board. The district is asking that anyone interested in filling out Butler's unexpired term send a one-page letter to the district central office. Letters will be accepted through Nov. 19 and may be sent to: Estherville Lincoln Central Community Schools, 315 N. Sixth St., Estherville, IA 51334.

The board will officially act on Butler's resignation at its December meeting.

In the construction update, Magnuson noted that most punch list items had been completed on the middle-school project. He said the contractor had submitted the final change order for the project.

Magnuson also said work is 95-98 percent completed on other building projects.

The board also approved an early graduation request from Matt Brown, approved paperwork for physical plant and equipment levy notes and approved a request from the National Guard to use the vacant South Roosevelt building for training exercises this winter.