Superintendent plans to shrink 2008-09 budget
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com

In an effort to produce a leaner budget, Cherokee County School District Superintendent Dr. Bill James said the district will base this year's spending plan on a zero-based budget.

The school district will start off with a zero budget for each school and district department. Administrators plan to look at all programs and personnel to justify every dollar placed in the proposed budget presented to the school board.

The school district is currently operating under a $58.6 million budget.

School board policy requires the district to plan a zero-based budget every five years. The most recent zerobased spending plan was approved in 2005.

"My overall goal is to have a $58 million budget and be able to put more money back into our general fund balance," James told school trustees at Tuesday's meeting. "School districts ideally would like a fund balance of at least 10 percent so there is money available to handle any emergencies. We have been operating below the (10 percent) level in recent years, and I would like to see the district get back to that amount."

The school district expects to end the current budget year with $4.9 million in reserve. Based on a proposed $58 million budget, the district would need to keep $5.8 million in reserve for the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

State budget estimates were $60,072,000 in the district's January financial report.

The district will have a clearer picture on next year's budget revenues in late April.

"Revenue is still a moving number right now," James said. "We will take a look at every line item in the budget. I am committed to slowing down the growth of our budget this year."

The district plans to present a balanced budget to school trustees later this spring. The district's spending plan is expected to be presented to the school board for approval in June once the state budget is finalized.