A proposed budget in the Conneaut School District for the year to begin July 1 has created some talk in the school district community with some school board members receiving calls and comments appearing elsewhere.

School board member David Schaef is telling those district residents in touch with him that it is way to early in the budget process to become upset.

He notes that under state law a school budget must be in place for public inspection by late January and a first budget must be voted upon by mid-February

Schaef explains that as soon as school starts in August, teachers are being asked to begin making out a budget for the following school year.

"How can you know what is really needed a year ahead of time," he asks.

There are 6 school buildings and custodial and maintenance items to be considered. At best, this early, needs are estimated. Bids are just being put out now so budget adjustments in April, May and June will be important.

Bids are just being put out for school room supplies and firmer prices established come May.

Once teachers and others begin their budgets for a year down the road, information goes to that school office to be complied by the school secretaries and then it goes for more compiling to central office. There are hundreds of categories to be filled out and hundreds of pages to be filled out, all under direction of states rules and regulations to meet the early January deadline.

Schaef points out that over the past 5 years the school district has cut 20 teaching positions and there is likely to be more this school year.

The budget in January and February, like the one put out now, cannot take that into account until closer to the end of the school year.

Kindergarten sign ups are still a couple months away and those needs won't be known until later.

School board members don't think let's gouge everybody as board members work to try to control costs but every increase from electric to gas create challenges. There was a time teachers and other school employees did not pay towards their insurances, but now they do as part of their contracts.

Some have questioned why athletic teams have to travel so far - like to Eisenhower 2-1/2 hours away and can't play closer teams like some years ago. Schools, but not Conneaut schools, voted to turn scheduling and more over to the District 10 Committee who change leagues every two years and seem more concerned about setting leagues up to make it easier to plan for playoffs. They do not like mixed classifications in the leagues.

The school district has fought for years to return to the old District 10 setup without much support.

Some have said cut like federal and state governments but there are many mandates to follow and they must be done as federal and state governments do not cut the requirements - just the funds. A parent, with services cut to their child, only has to go to court or other agency to complain and they then win.

This school year, the state when they passed their budget said we are increasing funds to schools by $250-million , then several months later cut $50-million from that promise. Many school districts had figured that money into their budgets and were hurt by less funds Conneaut did not plan for any extra money and so was able to make the adjustment of less money more easily. No mandates or requirements of what schools must do for students, ranging from special education to regular students, were taken away.