As the plague of budget cuts filter down from the governor’s office — through
the Oregon Trail School District — Welches schools Principal Mike Sutton
believes he has an antidote.

"We do a lot right now," Sutton said, referring to the elementary and middle
school’s attention to budget items. "Certainly, it’ll step up now, but we try all
the time."

School budgets took a hit from the state when Governor Kulongoski slashed
1.2 percent of all state agency funding.

For the Oregon Trail School District, that created a $500,000 revenue shortfall
for the 2008-09 school year.

Responding to those cuts, OTSD Superintendent Shelley Redinger indicated
those cuts could not be absorbed, but she believes they "can be covered by
cutting all nonessential services."

Redinger announced, effective Dec. 15, the district was implementing a
spending freeze on these services, supplies and equipment, including field
trips for all grade levels, staff development, travel or substitute costs.

"If we all pitch in on these measures, I believe we can avoid the need for staff
or program reductions this year," Redinger said. "These steps will also provide
a better foundation for dealing with the challenging budget ahead for next
year."

Sutton believes the Welches schools are unique in the district, and are as
prepared as can be for the financial crisis.

"We have an active parent-teachers organization that does a pretty good job,
keeping us from dipping into the general fund," Sutton said.

"Our students do a lot of fundraising for field trips, and our February auction
is a big help."

Sutton met with other middle and elementary principals the day after
Redinger’s announcement to discuss ways they can work together.

"There’s lots we can do and we talked about it (at the meeting)," Sutton said.
"Sharing supplies and resources will help."

Vice-Principal Debbie Borges pitches in with Sutton to cover substitute teacher
needs, and that practice will certainly continue.

"Debbie and I do that already," Sutton said. "We will also be trying to
schedule teacher’s doctor and dentist appointments after school, as well as
student conferences."

Sutton, in his fourth year at Welches, has always kept an eye on supplies.
"I’m a stickler in that regard," he said. "There’s lots you can do. We haven’t
had to buy playground balls in four years. I’ve found them in closets. You just
have to look around. Paper is another big (cost) item. Those orders all cross
my desk. And after the principal’s meeting, we all agreed to check with each
other before we order paper or art supplies."

One area where Sutton draws a different line is athletics. This is only the
second year of this program and it is already producing dividends.

"Athletics is an important piece of the student puzzle for us," he said.
"We can help with a spending freeze on equipment, but to cut the programs
would be a disaster."

Sutton admits he took a look at staff and support personnel cuts, but
dismissed them.

"It crossed my mind, but I can’t see it right now," he said.

"We have a program that blends four or five teachers among different classes.
They have to learn a second curriculum, but they do it, and teachers and
students get to know each other better because of it."

Redinger issued concerns about next year’s funding, and that discussions are
underway to plan for the shortfall.

"At this time we do not have all the information we need to adequately
forecast, and cannot predict final actions," she said.

Sutton was cautious about next year. "We think we can weather this first cut,"
he said. "But if there’s a second (cut), that will be tougher."