The Nye County school board did its part to help the district grapple with statewide budget cuts at its regular meeting Dec. 3.

The school board was among the first to save the district money by relinquishing a trip to Florida for a National Association of School Boards training seminar, thus saving the district approximately $16,783. Gov. Jim Gibbons told Nevada superintendents last month that school districts are included in statewide budget reductions of 4.5 percent.

Going by that mark, Nye County would have to trim its budget by $1,870,578 over the course of two years.

"We feel that any cut in education funding would be harmful in that we are already funded 47th or 48th in the nation," Roberts said, referring to Nevada's standing in per-pupil funding in the nation. "For the state government not to find ways to finance their already meager educational per-pupil spending is a terrible thing to do."

In addition, Roberts informed the board he took some emergency measures to help the district be more frugal.

The superintendent's actions are meant to help lessen the impact on students while at the same time avoiding layoffs.

But cutting the budget is not just about the numbers.

For example, Roberts put a temporary freeze on hiring, saving the district approximately $626,000.

This means that substitute teachers will finish out the school year for some classes.

However, federal law mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act requires that teachers have specific qualifications such as specialized certifications.

"We obviously can't do that if it affects our budgets," Roberts said he told the governor. "That's one of the problems that affect students in the classrooms, is when you don't have those kind of qualified teachers because you can't hire them."

In addition, a hold was placed on an order of new science textbooks that the board had approved at a previous meeting, which will save the district approximately $300,000.

"If we have to come up with the $1.9 million or several hundred thousand dollars, I think it'd be best to use that money later in the fiscal year perhaps, should something else happen between now and then," Roberts explained.

Other cuts include departmental reductions in the office of the superintendent, principals, business services, maintenance and operations and transportation.

And of course, the district has its ending fund balance, which can act as a rainy day fund.

But there is some hope, scant though it may be.

Roberts said state superintendents will hold a meeting with the governor's staff, State Budget Director Andrew Clinger and others to request the governor cut one-shot appropriation money for programs that haven't yet been implemented.

The appropriations would have gone to fund empowerment schools, all-day kindergarten, educational technology and Senate Bill 185, which allows district schools to apply for a schedule that incorporates teacher training.

Roberts said if the governor agrees to slash the one-time appropriations, the district would only have to slash the budget by 1.9 percent, which amounts to $818,378.

Throwing the budget cuts into sharp relief, the superintendent pointed out that instead of travelling to Carson City for the meeting he would be attending the meeting via teleconference. "We thought it was a little silly to spend money to figure out ways to cut spending," Roberts remarked wryly.

Monday's meeting won't be the last one about money matters. Thursday Roberts will meet with the state legislature's education committee.

Looking for two men

Actors and production people needed for the PAC musical, "The Spitfire Grill."

Show dates are in March, rehearsals are in progress.

Needed: two men, one singer (baritone range, a man's man type, no dancing); one non-speaking role, able to portray a looming presence but appear shy as well.

Also needed: costume coordinator, stage manager, makeup artist and light crew.

Contact Theater Guild Director, Francine Winters at 537-2181 for more information.