A.J. schools to discuss cost-cutting measures

Apache Junction schools are bracing for significant budget cuts this spring, with staff looking at ways, large and small, to save money.

A list of more than 40 ways for the Apache Junction Unified School District to reduce its spending will be made public Monday during the first of two town hall meetings to discuss the budget before the governing board begins its vetting process.

The list of possibilities includes reducing the number of fields the district has to water, changing to energy-efficient lighting and altering bus routes.

"There are a variety of ways economies can be accomplished," said district spokeswoman Carol Shepherd. "Some of them can be seemingly little things that will really add up."

The goal, Shepherd said, is to not lay off people or reduce anyone's wages. The Apache Junction district has the lowest starting teacher salary in the East Valley, she noted, and the district is trying not to let its budget shortfall affect teachers any further. The starting salary is $31,000, and the district had a five-year plan to increase that, which was scrapped after its budget override failed in November.

Shepherd said she did not know if any programs were being considered for cuts at this time.

Superintendent Greg Wyman said the administration and school board decided the best way to handle the district's anticipated shortfall of about $1 million was to ask the community for ideas.

In January, the district held a series of public meetings where Wyman asked parents, teachers and other members of the community to think about what the district's strengths and weaknesses are, and to brainstorm ways, some unconventional, for cutting back without affecting student achievement.

The meetings, at 7 p.m. Monday and 7 p.m. April 2, will bring a list that was compiled from those meetings to the public for additional comment before recommendations go the board sometime in April.

The district is dealing with the fallout from November's elections when voters rejected its budget override renewal for the second time. If the district chooses not to attempt another override, it will lose nearly $3 million, which was once part of its $33 million budget, over a three-year period.

The district first passed a maintenance and operation budget override in 1999, which allowed the district to exceed state guidelines for spending by up to 10 percent of its annual budget.

The additional revenue levied funds for 22 positions, including music teachers, physical education teachers and custodians, Shepherd said.

If you go
What: Apache Junction Unified School District Town Hall meetings
When and where: 7 p.m. Monday at Thunder Mountain Middle School, 3700 E. 16th Ave., and 7 p.m. April 2 at Apache Junction High School, 2525 S. Ironwood Drive, in the media center.
Information: (480) 982-1110, Ext. 2005 or 2014