GC-4 budget
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District Overview

The GC4 district belongs to the Cooperating School Districts of Greater Kansas City (GSDGKC), which is comprised of 28 districts. In a recent survey, CSDGKC districts report that total staff reductions to date are 657 and total operating budget reductions are at $83 million; $44 million in cuts to KCMSD as reported by the Kansas City Star, and another $38 Million in cuts reported by a combination of all other CSDGKC member districts.

This demonstrates the unprecedented challenges due to the now well known downturn in the global, national, and regional economy.  The Jackson County Advocate has been following our journey as we have addressed these challenges, however we would like to clarify a few items from their article of July 23, 2009. 

The first sentence, which begins “despite expecting a $700,000 budget deficit…” is inaccurate.  The district’s budget was modified throughout the fiscal year and a balanced budget was approved by the Board at their June meeting.  The preliminary budget adopted by the Board in June 2008 projected a $1.95 million deficit.  In November 2008 the Board approved amendments which brought the projected deficit to approximately $750,000.  By February of 2009 the Board had approved amendments reducing the projected deficit to approximately $387,000.  In May additional amendments were approved resulting in a projected deficit of slightly over $200,000.  In June a balanced budget was approved and administration advised the Board that the district’s revenues would exceed expenditures for the year.

There are three factors contributing to the $1.3 million in fund balances for the year.  The first is approximately $400,000 that is earmarked for grants and professional development.  The second is increases in revenues over what had been budgeted, including over $650,000 in Protested Taxes which were received after the district petitioned Jackson County.  The third is related to expenditures.  Staff, district wide, made concerted efforts throughout the year to reduce spending whenever possible, in an effort to help build district reserves.

The district began the 2008-09 fiscal year with fund balance reserves of 6.43%.  We need approximately 18% in reserves to avoid short term borrowing and fund operations until our taxes are received beginning in December.  Systematic restoration of our fund balances is a key component in the three year plan, covering 2009-2010 through 2011-2012, which was developed during the 2008-2009 fiscal year.  The increase in fund balances at the end of the 2008-2009 fiscal year will help minimize the anticipated cuts needed over the next two years, which total over $3.5 million.

The article also states that cuts were made to school programming, specifically block scheduling.  No adjustments to the high school schedule have been implemented for the upcoming fiscal year.

District finances are complex and dynamic, and cannot be fully addressed in one document.  We encourage our patrons to continue visiting our website, which will be updated regularly to include