Budget talk will be the issue early in Monday's school board meeting with a presentation of the projected 2003-2004 budget numbers and a Parent-Teacher Council (PTC) representative addressing concerns about the cuts made to compensate for that new budget.

Lori Volz, director of finance and operations for the district, will present a preliminary budget forecast to the council before delegations, Superintendent Corrine Johnson said.

The state was relatively easy on public schools this year compared to other organizations and agencies around the state, but rising costs from inflation, insurance and related matters create a problem for districts that have no way to account for these increases. The district has prepared to make up for $247,000 next year in part by eliminating 2.7 positions in the schools.

Besides the cuts, the board recently accepted a staffing shift at the elementary school level. Among them, more classroom teachers in fourth and fifth grade will replace specialist positions in art, music, gym and computers. Kindergartners will have their time with these teachers eliminated, while first through third graders will see time in those classes reduced.

These changes have prompted parents to circulate petitions against the program cuts, which will be presented at the meeting. Also, a representative from the PTC will be addressing the board with parents' concerns during delegations.

Also on the agenda is the approval of contracts for eight individuals as replacements for district staff that has left this year. The high school math department will lose three teachers to retirement this spring, and their replacements are among the eight up for approval.

Final approval for a number of policies is also up for a vote. Development of parental involvement, equal employment opportunity, disability and nondiscrimination, discipline, suspension and dismissal of district employees and employment background checks are the policies that will be considered.

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at :mailto:matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com