List of Budget Cuts to be Discussed by Southern Lehigh School Board

Editor's Note: The document discussed by the school board can be viewed along with a detailed explaination of each cut and how much it would save

On the list of cost saving measures to discuss (vote tally):

1.     Cut “Teach-Me Tutoring” program (8-1)

2.     Update school books every eight years instead of seven years (9-0)

3.     Cut the mobile agricultural lab (7-2)

4.     Cut additional funds for writing curriculum, use alternative time/methods to write curriculum (9-0)

5.     Cut funds for attending building conferences (9-0)

• Liberati-We can choose the conferences to reflect the needs of the district instead of teachers choosing which conferences to attend. Teachers can still make a case for a specific conference.

6.     Cut funds for district employees to attend AP Training and Conferences (6-3)

• Money will be provided on an “as-need” basis, instead of a line item in the budget

7.     Reduce desktop (computer) replacement (9-0)

8.     District-wide, reduce software (5-4)

• First to be cut would be the Kidbiz 3000 software program

9.     Eliminate (the purchase of) one mobile cart and lab replacements at High School (6-3)

10.   Eliminate/reduce (the purchase of) digital tools (5-4)

• Includes digital cameras, camcorders, IPads, IPods, etc…

11. Eliminate (the purchase of) one mobile cart at Intermediate School. (9-0)

• Buy one instead of two carts for IS

12. Reduce contributions to Capital Projects Funds (5-4)

13. Reduce amount of paper district uses (9-0)

• This is a line item to continue to reduce paper used in the workplace, not to cut the “paperless workplace” initiative 

14.  Set the building temperatures to reflect hours students are in the building, and change the temp by 2 degrees

• During the winter/cooler months, the temperature would be decreased by two degrees (aka 68 degrees instead of 70 degrees), and in summer/warmer months the central air would be increased two degrees (aka 70 degrees instead of 68 degrees)

15. Stop prefunding GASB 45 (9-0)

• GASB 45 is an insurance program for future district retirees

16. Pursue Access Money (9-0)

• Access money reimburses the school for services provided to students who have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for health-related services.

17. Discuss pursuing promotional advertising in schools (5-4)

18. Increase “building use fees” for outside organizations

19. Institute “pay for participation” fee at Middle School (8-1)

No Longer on list of cost-saving measures to be discussed (vote tally)

1.     Cut one mobile cart from Middle School (5-4)

2.     Eliminate or reduce on the road Driver’s Education or provide on a “pay as you go” basis. (8-1)

3.     Increase pay for participation at High School by 50 percent

4.     Institute an 150.00 activity fee for every student at the High School (9-0)

5.     Cut SAT Prep Class (8-1)

6.     Eliminate funding for Liberty Trails program

7.     Eliminate salaries for On-line Summer School programs (9-0)

8.     Eliminate Middle States Accreditation (9-0)

a.     Cost is for reaccreditation visits to district

9.     A complete elimination or reduction in mini-grants (9-0)

• According to the proposed cuts document, “Used by staff to pilot new/innovative programs.”

10. Reassign Lower Milford Elementary School students (9-0)

Cuts already completed by district (savings to district)

1.     Not replace head custodian after retirement (8,000)

2.     Decision to take part in Emergency Demand Response program (2011-12: 50,191; 2012-13: 66,216; 2013-14 118,041)

• District will voluntarily shut down power if our region experiences a brownout or blackout.

3.     Budgets frozen for schools and departments (36,000)

4.     Close Earned Income Tax office a year earlier than required by law (66,000)

5.     Sabbatical money removed from budget (60,000)