Armed with three different sets of numbers for education funding, administrators in the Marysville School District are probably wondering if a crystal ball might be a better forecasting method.

The budgets passed by the House, Senate and governor's office vary by as much as $2 million in needed cuts. Without firm figures in hand, the district is basing its plans on the "probable worst case" scenario.

Superintendent Dr. Larry Nyland and Finance Director Jim Baker briefed the School Board on the district's options at a workshop held April 13. Teachers, parents and staff members were also in the audience to hear the dim news.

The district is required to notify certificated employees of impending layoffs for the following school year by May 15. That notice will be less fine-tuned than administrators had hoped, due to the short timeframe between the end of the legislative session and the mandated deadline.

The legislature's regular session ends April 26.

"Using the probable worst case numbers, we'll have to make RIF decisions before the end of April," Dr. Nyland explained. "Then we'll go back and refine those numbers in early June, once we know what we're really dealing with. Hopefully, we'll be able to bring back some of those positions."

After gathering input from School Board members, district staff and administrators, the finance department has prepared a draft budget that includes stepped-up contingencies, based on final funding from the state.

The district has also partnered with labor and community leaders to negotiate emergency agreements with its unions that will help control costs. The Public School Employees (PSE) of Washington has agreed to a one-year rollover of the existing contract, maintaining salaries at the existing level. The principal's association has voluntarily voted to take a 2.3 percent pay cut and forego some vacation cash-out options. District administrators and exempt employees will also take a 3 percent pay cut, amounting to approximately 7 days' pay. And Superintendent Nyland has offered to cut his own compensation by $8,700, or about 10 days' pay.

All these concessions will help, but the district still has to find ways to cut an additional $5 to $7 million from the $111 million budget, with up to $3 million in reductions directly tied to basic education funding.

Proposed staff cuts include one high school administrative position, three secondary vice principal jobs (out of six current), one school nurse, three elementary school specialists, the custodial manager, and one job each in the custodial, grounds and maintenance departments. Other departments would face some cutbacks in salaried hours, benefits, supplies and support staff.

The reductions already account for additional federal stimulus money the state is expecting to disburse. Without increased federal spending, the district would be facing a much bigger budget challenge.

Despite the need to make some tough decisions over the next few months, Dr. Nyland has assured, "All budget decisions will continue to invest in our mission by supporting the staff training and text adoptions that will help us improve student learning."

The School Board will hold forums for community input over the next few weeks. Work study sessions are planned for Mondays, April 27 and May 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the district service center, 4220-80th Dr. NE in Marysville. Budget documents, timelines and FAQs can be found on the district Web site, www.msvl.k12.wa.us.