By Joanna Miller

Staff Writer

In an effort to lead by example, the Prior Lake-Savage Area School Board trimmed its own budget Monday.

With district-wide budget crunch set in motion, board members discussed how to meet their own portion of the $59,558 reduction for the District Services Center.

The School Board estimated its portion of reductions at $2,700. It struck some items from its budget and reached the goal. Members plan to revisit the issue this summer to make sure the board is fiscally on track.

To reach those cutbacks, Board Chairman Michael Murray first suggested the board forego attending the national school board conference for 2008, which would result in a savings of about $1,200. The board will leave $100 in its travel budget to cover minor expenses.

He also suggested the board reduce the number of people sitting on each committee, thus cutting down on some meeting stipends.

Most committees were reduced to two members, while the building committee maintained three members due to upcoming projects.

The board’s officers also decided to give up their additional stipends for 2007.

Board Member Sue Bruns voiced concerns about devaluing the board’s work, as this may not be the last year for district budget cuts.

“I would rather consider the structure of our committees than devalue,” Bruns said.

Bruns and Vice Chairwoman Lee Shimek suggested a lesser stipend for their negotiations committee work that goes over four hours, the benchmark for a stipend increase.

“If we go over four [hours], we’ll do two meetings,” Shimek said.

Board Member Dick Booth pointed out that some of the committees were added to align with the school district’s strategic plan, and not all committees are paid a stipend.

The board members agreed the members assigned to committees give constituents a reference for each committee area, and it doesn’t always impact the budget’s bottom line, as many meetings aren’t covered by a stipend.

Booth added that some general line items in the budget, such as supplies, cover necessary items. “Supplies” covers printing costs for agenda packets for the public and district staff, which isn’t readily apparent in the title, he explained.

To save paper and money, the board discussed changing to an electronic board agenda packet program. Because the computerized program would come with a price tag, as well, it decided to research vendors, programs and costs to implement change next year.

“It’s kind of amazing, all of the people who get board packets,” Shimek said.

Bruns said more than 60 packets are printed and distributed for each meeting. She encouraged the board to look for ways to reduce paper waste and to save money through electronic forms in the future.

“It’s not going to save us $2,700, but it would make me feel a whole lot better,” Bruns said.

The board also considered trimming additional responsibilities beyond school functions, such as participation in SCALE, but it decided the group was a worthwhile effort for public relations.

Board Member Eric Pratt said visibility through SCALE brings schools and government leaders together.

“That is probably what allowed us to move forward with the stoplight at Jeffers Pond,” Pratt said.

 Joanna Miller can be reached at (952) 345-6375 or jmiller@swpub.com.