Linn-Mar identifies $519,000 in budget cuts, including one administrator

MARION - The Linn-Mar school board Monday night began working on trimming $519,000 from the district's 2016-17 budget, including one full-time administrative position dedicated to coordinating a $30 million high school renovation project.

The cuts were identified following two months of districtwide scrutiny after administrators determined that the district needed to cut at least $500,000 in recurring costs to address declining state funding.

To meet that total, administrators identified $367,000 in personnel costs and $152,000 in operating expenses.

The cost for a dedicated renovation administrator was pegged at $125,000. The district also expects to save $55,000 by reducing time paid to teaching staff when classes are not in session and $187,000 dedicated to nonteaching contracts.

Buildings will be asked to make a 10 percent cut in their budgets, including field trips and supplies. Various energy efficiencies also are being proposed.

The renovation position is currently held by Chad Schumacher, who will continue in that capacity through June 30. After that, Linn-Mar Superintendent Quintin Shepherd told The Gazette, some of the tasks for the project will be redistributed.

The high school renovation project is scheduled for completion in January 2017.

Also Monday night, contracts were awarded to two firms for three construction projects. Both were low bidders.

Larson Construction of Independence received a $2,176,000 contract to add six classrooms and replace a boiler at Westfield Elementary School. Estimated completion date is August 2017. Seven firms bid on the project.

Garling Construction of Cedar Rapids was given a $1,970,000 contract to expand the cafeteria at Oak Ridge Middle School and renovate the kitchen at Linn-Mar High School. Both projects are scheduled to be finished by the start of school this fall. Three firms bid on the combined projects.

A fourth project, an entrance update at Excelsior Middle School, was not brought to the board after bids exceeded the architect's estimate by 70 percent.