Roughly $3 million, so far.

That’s the potential deficit faced by the Northshore School District for the 2009-2010 school year, according to Superintendent Larry Francois.

Francois made his comments before and during his latest “Brown Bag Briefing,” a public forum held Jan. 15 at the district administration building.

Previously, the potential coming deficit was placed at roughly $2 million. But Francois said that figure didn’t include increases in such things as utilities and other operating expenses.

Looking down the line, Francois added deficits could reach up to $8.5 million. Northshore has, Francois added, been making cuts for several years, shaving off dollars here and there without quite hitting the bones of any programs.

“I don’t know that we’ll able to make those kinds of slices anymore,” Francois contended.

With that in mind, working first with input from administrators, district leadership is attempting to prioritize various categories of school activities, trying to decide where major cuts, if they should prove needed, might be made first.

Francois said officials are looking at eight areas including class size, technology, programs for gifted students, as well as those for struggling students, and extracurricular activities, among others. He quickly contended no one really wants to make deep cuts in any of those areas.

“It’s not where any of us would want to be,” he said.

Officials hope to poll residents on their thoughts regarding cuts starting with a survey that should be available on the district Web site (www.nsd.org). Three initial public budget forums also are planned for March.

In answering questions at his “Brown Bag” session, Francois said if dollars become too tight, the district might be forced to take a look at closing certain buildings. Overall enrollment is falling and Francois said while shutting any building is bound to be an unpopular move in some quarters, that move might be more palatable than making major across-the-board program cuts.

The $2 million figure initially put forth by the district reflected Gov. Chris Gregoire’s proposed 25-percent cut in state-funded Initiative 728 dollars.

Passed by Washington voters in November 2000 with the goal of lowering class sizes, the funding normally sends Northshore schools about $8.7 million annually. Locally, Gregoire’s proposed cut would result in the previously mentioned $2 million shortfall. But district officials several times have noted that state legislators, not Gregoire, have the final say on any spending plan. With that in mind, local leaders might not know until at least mid-March, and possibly later, how many dollars are coming their way for the next school year.

Even with all the uncertainties, the district has set a timeline for creation of its next spending plan, according to Business Services Director Dick Anastasi. That timeline shows the school board of directors passing a finalized, balanced budget by August.

In Francois’ opinion, the state is dropping the ball on what the Washington Constitution says is one of its primary responsibilities, and that is providing basic education. Tim Brittell, president of the local teachers’ union, the Northshore Education Association, argued even in rough economic times, cutting education is short-sighted and ultimately will hinder economic recovery.

As it stands, Gregoire’s budget contains no cost-of-living increases for school employees, though local teachers will receive a minimal 1-percent salary increase because of a previously agreed to contract. Other local school unions still are in talks with the district, according to Northshore Director of Communications Susan Stoltzfus.

Roughly $3 million, so far.

That’s the potential deficit faced by the Northshore School District for the 2009-2010 school year, according to Superintendent Larry Francois.

Francois made his comments before and during his latest “Brown Bag Briefing,” a public forum held Jan. 15 at the district administration building.

Previously, the potential coming deficit was placed at roughly $2 million. But Francois said that figure didn’t include increases in such things as utilities and other operating expenses.

Looking down the line, Francois added deficits could reach up to $8.5 million. Northshore has, Francois added, been making cuts for several years, shaving off dollars here and there without quite hitting the bones of any programs.

“I don’t know that we’ll able to make those kinds of slices anymore,” Francois contended.

With that in mind, working first with input from administrators, district leadership is attempting to prioritize various categories of school activities, trying to decide where major cuts, if they should prove needed, might be made first.

Francois said officials are looking at eight areas including class size, technology, programs for gifted students, as well as those for struggling students, and extracurricular activities, among others. He quickly contended no one really wants to make deep cuts in any of those areas.

“It’s not where any of us would want to be,” he said.

Officials hope to poll residents on their thoughts regarding cuts starting with a survey that should be available on the district Web site (www.nsd.org). Three initial public budget forums also are planned for March.

In answering questions at his “Brown Bag” session, Francois said if dollars become too tight, the district might be forced to take a look at closing certain buildings. Overall enrollment is falling and Francois said while shutting any building is bound to be an unpopular move in some quarters, that move might be more palatable than making major across-the-board program cuts.

The $2 million figure initially put forth by the district reflected Gov. Chris Gregoire’s proposed 25-percent cut in state-funded Initiative 728 dollars.

Passed by Washington voters in November 2000 with the goal of lowering class sizes, the funding normally sends Northshore schools about $8.7 million annually. Locally, Gregoire’s proposed cut would result in the previously mentioned $2 million shortfall. But district officials several times have noted that state legislators, not Gregoire, have the final say on any spending plan. With that in mind, local leaders might not know until at least mid-March, and possibly later, how many dollars are coming their way for the next school year.

Even with all the uncertainties, the district has set a timeline for creation of its next spending plan, according to Business Services Director Dick Anastasi. That timeline shows the school board of directors passing a finalized, balanced budget by August.

In Francois’ opinion, the state is dropping the ball on what the Washington Constitution says is one of its primary responsibilities, and that is providing basic education. Tim Brittell, president of the local teachers’ union, the Northshore Education Association, argued even in rough economic times, cutting education is short-sighted and ultimately will hinder economic recovery.

As it stands, Gregoire’s budget contains no cost-of-living increases for school employees, though local teachers will receive a minimal 1-percent salary increase because of a previously agreed to contract. Other local school unions still are in talks with the district, according to Northshore Director of Communications Susan Stoltzfus.