More than $430,000 has been cut from the Clear Creek School District budget, bringing the district closer to addressing the projected $550,000 shortfall for the 2010-11 school year.

The Clear Creek Board of Education is instituting a furlough day for all staff, not replacing three retiring teachers, relocating a program to the high school, increasing high school athletic fees and cutting other budget items.

Final cuts to the budget will take place at 6 p.m. May 17 in the Clear Creek School Administration Building.

Historical perspective

The drop in school funding in Colorado for pre-kindergarten-through-12th-grade education has forced districts across the state to make difficult decisions and, in some cases, to close schools entirely.

The 2010-11 budget shortfall for Clear Creek schools comes on the heels of a move last year to combine grades 7-12 at the high school — a decision designed to address the district’s then-$300,000 deficit.

Cuts to the budget

So far, a district-wide furlough day will save $25,000. Teachers and staff will report to school two days before the school year starts rather than three days ahead.

The district is not replacing three-and-a-half teaching positions — saving $150,000. The schools not seeing replacements are the high school, Carlson Elementary and King-Murphy Elementary.

High school principal and acting Superintendent Jeff Miller said that if the schools have an increase in student enrollment, then the positions could be filled.

“We were looking at areas where we could go ahead and maintain the programs that we have with the integrity that those programs bring to our schools but be able to go ahead and reduce staff and not replace them,” Miller said.

The alternative high school education program, currently in the former middle school, will move to the Clear Creek Middle School/High School building. A position will also be eliminated from that program, saving the district $82,000.

The school board voted to increase high school athletic fees, which will generate an additional $4,600 for the district.

The board also decided to reduce the district-wide supply budget by 25 percent, saving $37,600.

Among other reductions, the district is also reducing the work hours of support staff, aides and technical staff, and hiring a special education teacher.

“This school district, our school board members and our superintendent (Bill Patterson) have been very responsible with the available school finance dollars,” Miller said. “This procedure has taken quite awhile because the board was very diligent in making sure they receive as much input as possible before they made any final recommendations.”

Contact Ian Neligh at couranteditor@evergreenco.com, and check www.clearcreekcourant.com for updates and breaking news.