School board meets with public on funding shortfall

SIDNEY -- The Sidney School board faced the difficulty of maintaining programs when funding is decreasing during the March 11 school board meeting.

The Board of Education moved its March 11 meeting to the Performing Arts Center at Sidney High School in anticipation of citizens who who would want to address the board.

District Superintendent Andrew Farber said the District is facing a revenue shortfall of $607,000. The $600,000 shortfall is for the 2024-2025 school year.  Farber said the goal of the meeting was to listen and learn what the public wanted. School Board President Mike Palmer said the board's desire was to hear from the public.

"We have no intention of taking action on it (possible budget and program changes). We want to hear public input," Palmer said.

In a statement included in the board meeting packet, Farber said since June 2023, the District has lost $850,000 in revenue. Farber explained that some of the shortfall is due to changes in the State school funding formula.

A list titled "Projected Budgetary Reduction" was included in the agenda. The list is possible cuts in school district programming. The list includes North Elementary School, Cool Kids Club, LMHP (Licensed Mental Health Practitioner) Service, the North Elementary School principal, inter-local bussing, funding of extra duty positions and clubs may be asked to to offset the expense of clubs. If all proposed reductions are accepted, the cost savings would be almost $775,000. No action was taken at the meeting. Palmer said if the community wants all of the programs, they may come at a cost.

Concerns were voiced about the possible closure of Cool Kids. The Projected Budgetary Reduction sheets say the program has 35-40 students district-wide. Kalena Seaman told the board the program serves 30 to 35 families.

Transportation options are also being considered. Farber has said the District is not obligated to provide transportation in the city. He and the board were questioned about student safety if bussing within the four-mile radius is eliminated. Kasey Kantor, director of transportation for the City of Sidney, said students already using public transportation, and he is looking at a bus pass program to make the program easier. Busses cost $1.50 each way.

Farber and the board were asked about who to write letters to in protest of the change in State funding. He suggested Gov. Jim Pillen and Sen. Steve Erdman.

Melissa Norgard encouraged the school board and the public to contact local organizations like Sidney Donor Advised Fund, and Sidney And Greater Area Fund (SAGA) to assist with some of the programs and related funding.