This year, the Mississippi Legislature voted to fund public schools at the exact same level as last year. For many districts this means more challenges in balancing their budgets. Superintendent Bonita Coleman Potter of Ocean Springs School District stated that the district faces a $1.02 million budget shortfall in the coming year. Coleman-Potter stated that anyone who hears that they are getting ‘level funding’ will be aware that this will always result in a reduction to the district’s budget. Coleman-Potter stated that the money she received to run the school district will always be in deficit to what we will need in the next year. This is due to rising costs of doing business. She said that she had to reduce 40 teacher and central office positions over the past four years. She anticipates that the district will have a larger class size of 40 students per classroom in the next year. Coleman-Potter stated that the district is working to preserve programs like robotics, fine art and music. Similar issues are facing the Greenville Public Schools District. Greenville Superintendent Leeson TAYLOR stated that due to the level of funding for 2015-16, some positions had to be eliminated from the classroom. Level funding for the 2015-16 school year will likely result in increased class sizes and the preservation of older technology. Taylor stated that “in terms of updated computers… LCD projectors, smart boards, those items you see in more affluent regions, we’re going to not be able (them) here.” “We have to ensure that what we have is durable and well-maintained.” Ocean Springs and Greenville have both reached or neared their mill cap. The current maximum local total millage rate for districts, which is the tax per dollar assessed value of a property, is 55 mills. Both superintendents stated that their districts are dependent on state funding for efficient operation. Taylor stated that MAEP (the state funding formula), is what we rely on to ensure that our districts have a level playing ground because everyone has the same expectations. You don’t look at Clinton to say Greenville doesn’t have to meet certain standards. “We have to meet the same standards that everyone else, but we are not starting from the exact same playing field.” Taylor stated that the district seeks federal funding as well as partnerships with local businesses like Mars Food North America in Greenville. Taylor stated that they have helped in several areas, including activities for children like school gardens and fiscal renovations to the high school cafeteria (and middle schools cafeteria) this school year. Sara Miller, senior policy analyst at the Hope Policy Institute, stated that level funding is another year in which superintendents receive less than they need to perform their duties. Miller stated that they have to make decisions about how to spend the money they have. Miller stated that some districts can counter these effects by raising taxes or delaying maintenance. However, districts that are poorer may not be as able to raise additional revenue due to the value or size of their tax base. Some districts are finding creative ways to make ends meet. Voters in Tupelo Public Schools District were asked last year whether they would allow the district to issue $44million in new bonds, without raising taxes. With 85.5 percent approval, the district’s “Safe and Sound” bond request was approved. Gearl Loden, Tupelo’s Superintendent, said that bond issues are used to finance new construction projects. However, this bond money will also be used to meet other district needs such as technology and infrastructure upgrades. Loden stated that the bond issue helped to make the district more than break even this year. It’s more of maintenance and operation fund issue… We have had buildings with leaky roofs which we had to replace. Over the years, we have delayed purchasing textbooks and other items. “The bond issue has taken some pressure off.” Loden stated that the district is level funded since 2008. However, being level funded can be difficult because of inflationary costs. Loden stated that everything has changed since 2008, including the cost of automobiles, Directv, groceries, and utilities. “Fuel prices are slightly higher, but your electricity, and other costs, have increased substantially,” Loden said. He also stated that the district is close to reaching its mill cap, which could limit its ability address budget shortfalls. Sandy Halliwell, Clinton Public School District Finance Director, said that the district had grown 200 students in the past year. Clinton will receive an increase in funding next year because MAEP funding is determined by average daily attendance. Halliwell stated that the district still prioritizes requests from schools and departments, and budgets what it can to meet the district’s most pressing needs. Phillip Burchfield, Superintendent of Clinton Public Schools District, said that the revenue generated by the district’s enrollment growth will protect personnel from any possible cuts. Burchfield stated that personnel accounts for between 65 and 70 percent of the budget. “That’s where there is money.” Burchfield stated that Clinton is seeking more growth in the coming school year. This will allow the district to supply its classrooms and with the latest technology. The superintendent indicated that the district had to increase millage three to four years ago to pay for its technology program. There are many other requirements that must be met, including training teachers how to use the new technology in their classrooms. Burchfield stated that there is nothing that can make a difference to a great teacher in the classroom. “We must also be aware of this.” _x000D
