The Austin Public School Board of Education adopted an amended 2002-03 budget Monday night.

The decision was unanimous and came at the school board's regularly monthly meeting held at the Austin Municipal Building.

Lori Volz, director of finance and operations for the district, detailed the changes to the current school year's budget.

According to Volz, the amended figures reflect actual revenue formulas and enrollment information, as well as settlements with local bargaining units.

Also, they have been adjusted for inflationary factors such as special education tuition costs and property-liability insurance.

Volz described how the 2001 school district-approved referendum is stabilizing the district's finances. The $246.54 increase per resident brings $1,148,227 into the budget this school year.

The district has a total general fund expenditure budget of $31,658,720.

Actual enrollment for the 2001-02 school year was 4,108 and the projected 2002-03 year-ending enrollment in the district is 4,075.

With the huge state budget deficit looming, Volz told the school board members the district is in "a reasonably good position."

As for what lies ahead, Volz said, "We're going to face a very tight financial situation."

School board member David Simonson said there is no other scenario to expect.

"There's going to be a loss of operating revenues and reserve funds will be depleted," he said.

Board president Bev Nordby said after Monday night's meeting, the district will watch its finances extremely close as the 2003 legislative session proceeds. School district Superintendent Corrine Johnson also said the situation will be monitored closely.

Johnson said school district representatives are also meeting with legislators to prepare the district for anticipated funding reductions ahead.

Ney seeks to enroll

Also Monday night, the Austin school board heard a request from Jennifer Ney and her father, Laverne Ney.

Speaking on behalf of her 77-year-old father, Ney asked the school board to allow him to attend classes at Austin High School.

Ney, a World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Navy, did not complete high school courses when he was a youth.

While he could receive a General Education Development certificate, he wants to earn the high school diploma as a student.

The school board took the request under advisement.

"We want everybody to be successful," Nordby said.

Laverne Ney lives in Austin, but his daughter, a former candidate for the state senate, now maintains a residence in Ohio and visits her father in Minnesota.

In other action Monday night, the school board:

n Recognized the contributions of the Austin Park, Recreation and Forestry Department staff.

n Recognized district spelling bee winners John J. Register, Cory Viehauser, Laura Davis, Amanda Mattick, Mary Wagner.

n Accepted the resignations of three high school mathematics teachers Peter Demars, John Ewert and John Waterman.

The teachers are retiring at the end of the current school year.

n Approved the hirings of non-certified staff: Stephen Arnold, development director at KSMQ-TV, Jacqueline Trainor, fund-raising account executive at KSMQ-TV and Mary Summer, paraprofessional at Sumner Elementary School.

n Accepted the resignations of non-certified staff: Sandra Carroll, head cook at Neveln Elementary School, and Vicki Faust, paraprofessional at Ellis Middle School.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com