The Litchfield School Board will be asked to make several cuts for the 2008-09 school year at tonight’s meeting.

The recommended reductions total $150,000 and include eliminating a high school/middle media specialist, as well as a building custodian. The other savings should come from reducing a high school special education teacher to half time and eliminating a district paraprofessional position.

While enrollment is anticipated to remain steady for 2008-09, the district is facing a financial shortfall after several years of higher than anticipated special education cross subsidies. The district has been forced to use hundreds of thousands of dollars from its general fund to cover the lack of special education revenue provided by the state.

For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, Litchfield's general operating balance decreased $287,707, from $445,037 to $160,330. Its unreserved and undesignated general fund is at a deficit of $127,987.

Over the past year, the board has talked about the possibility of asking voters to approve a larger operating levy in the November 2008 general election. The district’s current levy is $300 per pupil. No decision has been made whether to seek the levy.

The board meets at 7:30 p.m. in Suite 200 of the Meeker County Family Services Building.