PRAIRIE CITY Staff cuts are part of the ominous outlook for Prairie City School for 2012-2013, according to Superintendent/Principal David Kerr.

Our cash reserves and revenue just dont match our expenses, Kerr said. Were finally at that place where we need to do something. Downsizing is a must.

He said the school board has directed him to present a final reduction in force plan at their April 18 meeting. Part of that plan must project revenue and expenditures over the next three years, and include a proposal to maintain sufficient cash reserves, about $250,000, to protect the district in case of emergency.

Were looking at projections and having work sessions to determine what dollar amount needs to be cut, and how, Kerr said. Our budget deliberations do not begin until May 9, but there is significant work to be done prior to show how we will balance our budget.

As at other Grant County districts, declining enrollment is a key factor in the Prairie City Schools present financial situation. Kerr estimates conservatively that the district has lost about $330,000 due to dwindling enrollment over the last five years alone.

Prairie Citys enrollment has been declining for more than a decade. In 2000, the schools enrollment was 242. This year, there are 146 students, including half-day kindergarteners, at the school.

Thats a loss of about 100 students over the past 12 years.

Kerr noted that Grant County officials have already said the county doesnt intend to share any money from its road funds with the schools for next year.

In the past, the county has shared road funds deemed excess after meeting the operational needs of the road department. The money stemmed from the federal county payments act. For the current budget year, the county allocated $300,000 to be shared by all the school districts in the county, and Prairie City School Districts share was $48,000.

Representatives of school districts across the county plan to attend a county budget committee meeting next week to discuss their needs and request financial help from the county.

Meanwhile, Kerr is moving ahead with the downsizing plan. He said he expects to accomplish it through a combination of resignations, retirements and some staff layoffs, Kerr said. He doesnt know yet how many workers may be laid off, but hes certain it will come to that.

Currently, Prairie City has 15 licensed teachers, two custodians, five educational assistants, two bus drivers, a cafeteria assistant and three support personnel in maintenance/transportation, head of the cafeteria and the school secretary.

He said curriculum changes will also be necessary, such as combining more elementary grades first and second merged this year and programs in the junior and high school. The district may reduce some staff to half-time, or combine other positions.

There are many possibilities, Kerr said. Its still too complicated to predict.

Were trying not to lose electives and programs, but we might not have any control over it, he said. Weve been very fortunate that we havent had to do this yet.

Kerr said he plans to attend the county budget committee meeting, and hopes others from the Prairie City community also will attend the session, which is at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 3.

Academically, were an outstanding school, and our students continue to excel, Kerr said, adding, Our staff work very hard to put kids in positions where they can be successful.

Its unfortunate, Kerr said, noting that everybody plays a significant role here.

But we cant sustain what weve been doing, he said. The deficit in years to come will go up if we dont make cuts now.