Members of the Stevens Point PARENT TEACHER STUDENT ASSOCIATION (KNOWN AS THE PTSA), have a firm commitment to support educational opportunities for students in the Stevens Point Area School District. We are opposed to the proposed $1.9 million in budget cuts for the 2004 - 2005 budget year.  

We urge that the board vote “No” on the proposed budget cuts as presented. 

The proposed cuts:  

• eliminate course options for students
• decrease student time in academic classes
• compromise the ability of school staff to provide adequate counseling to students
• reduce services to students

Implementation of one or more of the following actions could greatly reduce the level of budget cuts needed: 

1. As an interim solution for the 2004 – 2005 budget, the Stevens Point School District could use monies from the fund balance (per the School Board’s vote on Monday August 26, 2002, to use $1.5 million from reserves.)  It is our understanding from Dr. Schuler that about half of that approved amount was not used. This means that $750,000 of the $1.5 million remains unspent, and could be used to cover some of the targeted cuts. The district should review whether additional amounts could be used for the 04/05 while still maintaining the reserve fund above state guidelines.
2. Consider making additional capital fund reductions.
    
3. Review Appendix B and all other non academic expenses for possible additional spending cuts.
    
4. Place a temporary, one year, freeze on travel.

Adopting these alternative solutions to budget cuts for 04/05 provides the following substantial benefits to the district: 

• The district will have time to analyze the recommended curriculum and/or structural changes from the 6-12 Committee Review and possible budgetary impact from said changes.

• The district will have time to study referenda scenarios, including but not limited to, a MULTI YEAR referendum for Fall 2004, tied to the presidential election.