School Superintendent Jeff Edwards commended Nebraska City Public Schools staff for its careful spending practices while the state Legislature deals with a sagging economy.

The Legislature convened its 60-day session Jan. 6 on the heels of special session called by Gov. Dave Heineman in November to slash the state’s two-year budget due to revenues falling $334 million below expectations.

Edwards said he does not anticipate any cuts to this year’s allotment of state funds , but noted that Kansas lawmakers recently responded to falling revenues with a mid-year spending cut.
“I credit everyone in the district for clamping down,” Edwards told the school board Monday. “The state’s budget picture is not pretty and we all know it’s not going to be very long before that filters down.”

Edwards said he does not expect the school to buy anything that does not have an immediate impact on the classroom, but told the school board the district would be careful not to neglect anything now that will end up costing more money later.

Edwards presented the school board with a nine-page budget report, as well as current bills.
The school is meeting targets on its $14.5 million budget year, which ends Aug. 31. However, it is yet to receive 60 percent of the $3.9  million allocated from state sales and income taxes.

Edwards said a total of $150,000 in bills the past month is indicative of the school operating within its means.

The monthly expenditures include contracted services, such as $32,814 to the Iowa School for the Deaf, $3,066 for Kids on the Move and $13,214 for vision impaired services from Nebraska City.