LPOSD cuts outweigh new expenses

SANDPOINT — Cuts outweigh additional expenses in Lake Pend Oreille School District superintendent Shawn Woodward’s early budget proposal to the school board.   

Woodward detailed his recommendations to trustees at the school board meeting Tuesday evening. Altogether, his projects add up to $160,500 in additional expenses and $825,000 in cuts. The recommended changes aim to maximize resources through efficiencies and a little innovative thinking, he said.

“I don’t believe we can keep using the dollars that are coming into the school district the same way every year,” he said.

Some of the most substantial new expenses come from security needs that district officials have discussed over the past year.

 Woodward’s recommendations add on $20,000 for the new school resource officer serving the eastern end of the district, particularly Clark Fork middle and high schools. The additions also devote $20,000 for counseling services from Kaniksu Health Services.

Rather than bringing on a full-time counselor, this contractual arrangement will allow the school district to get help for particularly troubled kids on a case-by-case basis.

“Contracting out for this service is far more cost-effective for us,” Woodward said.

Cuts were more substantial, with staffing and programs all up for some trimming. Woodward anticipates that reorganizing district office staff should save $62,025. Three contingency positions are projected to be cut for Farmin Stidwell, Southside and Sagle elementary schools, saving $77,000 in each instance. The special education program budget is proposed to decrease by $75,000, while overall staffing at Sandpoint High School is marked for a $60,000 decrease.

“(Principal Becky Meyer) is confident she can make some moves that will have minimal impact on student learning,” Woodward said.

Funding changes at the state and federal levels also forced some cuts.

This included cutting Title I staffing by $30,000, upper quartile services at Washington Elementary by $19,500 and the elimination of a substance abuse counselor, saving $41,275.

“That has nothing to do with the quality of the (substance abuse prevention) program, which has been absolutely outstanding,” Woodward said.