USD 315 COLBY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Budget Information

• USD 315 lost over $600,000 in general operating budget for the 2009-2010 school year due to state budget cuts.

• In November 2009, Kansas public school funding was cut again and USD 315 lost an additional $291,099 in 2009-10 funding.  This was due to the State General Fund November revenue projection being low, and Governor Parkinson making cuts to bring the state’s current budget into balance.

• In Governor Parkinson’s January 2010 State of the State address, he outlined a plan that would generate revenue and prevent additional cuts in funding for Kansas agencies and schools.

His recommendation for fiscal year 2011 is to raise the state cigarette tax from $.79 a pack to the national average of $1.34 and a three-year increase in the state sales tax rate (from 5.3% to 6.3%).

• Projection for this spring and next school year:
If the April 2010 revenues are low for the state of Kansas, USD 315 will see additional cuts in funding this spring.

The Kansas Legislators basically have two choices:  

    1.  Raise revenue  (as recommended by the Governor)

    2.  Cut funding (which will result in public schools losing more money for the 2010-2011 school year.

A community meeting will be held the last of February 2010 to explain the amount of funding USD 315 has lost this school year and budget projections for the 2010-2011 school year.  School personnel will share possible cost-saving measures that USD 315 will be forced to implement if the Legislature continues to cut public school funding.