This week school administrators will create a list of employees who will receive letters telling them their contracts with the Nye County School District will not be picked up for the coming school year.

"I wish I had better news," said Superintendent Rob Roberts, between meetings in Carson City where he represented Nye County's parents, students and educational personnel.

The Vietnam veteran likened his situation to calling in artillery and air strikes on his own position during war time.

Chief Financial and Administrative Officer Ray Richie has conducted numerous budget workshops that include principals of each school who were asked to "think out of the box" to make cuts to their budgets without compromising student achievement. School trustees and administrators are also part of the budget committee.

The tentative budget was in fact sent to the state Department of Education and Taxation April 15. However, Richie said, "Approval from the board is needed to move forward with informing school personnel of the upcoming reduction in force upon which the budget is based."

Nye County's tentative budget was submitted to the trustees April 30 and unanimously approved.

While the budget most likely will change prior to the required June 8 submission, it was thought prudent to notify those most directly affected.

Nye County's school budget is based upon the $62 million dollar reduction in funds for Nevada schools Gov. Jim Gibbons announced in January.

Looking at the budgeted summary of savings approved by the school board, the document lists savings of approximately $9.4 million in reduction of personnel and services.

Items that adversely affect the school district include a $150 million loss in property tax due to home foreclosures and an 18 percent decline in sales tax revenue.

At the same time, Roberts is meeting today with his budget committee to "try and go forward."

He said, "We've been talking to the various unions and associations for teachers and janitors and cafeteria workers. We're doing everything we can to be proactive."

Roberts said the distributed school account, or funds designated by the governor's office for school districts throughout the state, should be known by the time the budget committee meets.

"The state budget is still a moving target," said Roberts. "I met with the governor to express the concerns of our rural district. He told me the situation was worse than first predicted and we possibly may have to take additional salary reductions."

Tim Wombaker, principal of Mt. Charleston Elementary School, explained during last week's school board meeting that many teachers are married to teachers.

"In that case," he said. "they are looking at a 12 percent salary decrease. They can't afford that."

Roberts confirmed the reduction in force letters would be prepared soon. "Hopefully that will change."

Roberts added, "Now is the time for strong leadership. It's time for principal leadership and for teacher leadership. We have to do the best we can with what we have. Our children deserve nothing less."

Roberts said one possible source of hope came from Steven Horsford, D-Las Vegas, the Senate majority leader, who said last Saturday he wants to restore as much funding to education as possible. He met with Roberts and other superintendents in Carson City.

Horsford indicated he would consider every option that protects education, which includes raising taxes.