CHICKASHA — A recent blow to state aid has knocked Chickasha Public Schools' estimated annual carryover down to $115,000.

In past years, the district has carried over more than $400,000 between school years. This last year, the Board of Education made policies in an attempt to increase that carryover to more than $700,000.

News Friday, however, that the state will not be fully funding the legislature-mandated teacher pay raise, and that the state will also be reducing its share of teacher and staff health benefits by approximately six percent, sent the district into a virtual financial panic.

Business and Finance Director Dwight Yokum told the board District spending has been frozen, and only those items deemed an emergency or necessity and signed off by the superintendent will be purchased.

Open purchase orders have been closed out.

Exception to the spending rules include those items funded by outside sources, such grants or federal monies.

"We were already short by what the State owed us, now we are further in the hole," Yokum said. The State's 15 percent cut to the funding of the teachers' pay raise will require the district to spend and additional $94,000 out of its other revenue.

Benefit cuts will cost the district $45,000 for the certified staff and another $19,000 for non-certified staff.

Yokum advised the board could possibly expect another cut to state aid next month, although he believed there would not be any additional cuts to the health insurance.

In attempting to answer why the cuts occurred, Yokum said lottery funds have been no where near what was anticipated.

"When we talk about dollars, the money is just not there," Yokum said.

On the health insurance, Yokum said the State underestimated both the number of staff members participating and insurance rate increases for the past year. Yokum said the district could possibly increase its carryover to $200,000 by the end of the year, but it is currently difficult to estimate the revenue for the rest of the year. Superintendent Jim Glaze is asking all board members and staff to contact their legislators to request that a supplemental funding request be passed.

"This request will pay for the unfunded amount of the $3,000 teacher pay raise passed last legislative session," Glaze said, "All schools across Oklahoma are affected by not receiving this supplemental. It will affect our local budget this year anywhere from $280,000 to $350,000."

Glaze's own message to legislators was clear. If you're going to mandate it, fund it.

"I feel it is critical," Glaze said, "that the state fully fund all items that the local schools are required to implement."

One Chickasha employee was willing to take one for the team to keep his current job with the financial crisis.

Junior High Athletic Director Casta Thomas was on the agenda to be transferred to the position of high school teacher and elementary physical education teacher.

He spoke to the board during comments and recognition of visitors.

Thomas thanked the board for the opportunities he has had, and said that he can appreciate the financial hardship the district is going through. While anyone taking over his duties would find everything in order, Thomas stated that he was willing to go without a stipend to continue in his current role.

"I have a love for the position and for our young people at the Middle School," Thomas said.

During executive session, the board decided to complete the transfer effective August 9, despite Thomas' offer.

Superintendent Glaze said after the meeting that foregoing the stipend would only be a small savings to the district of approximately $12,000. Glaze said the district is saving much more from the salary and benefit decrease of moving Thomas from an administrative position to a teaching position.