Oxford Area Community Schools is preparing for at least a $1.5 million shortfall in the 2003-2004 school year budget.
In order to meet this challenge, district administrators have been holding departmental meetings for the past couple weeks in search of possible spending cuts. To date, officials have found that the only solution is serious cutbacks, similar to the $1.2 million made this past year. With this in mind, all district buildings and departments have been instructed to identify about 10 percent worth of cuts that can be made in their individual areas.
Also, the district is actively taking steps for the rest of this fiscal year in order to save money. Officials are forming plans to cut overtime, restrict all conferences, freeze any hiring and postpone expenditures when possible.Superintendent Virginia Brennan-Kyro has emphasized that although these cuts are unavoidable, all decisions must be in line with the district’s mission and ultimately provide a quality education for every student.