The cuts, said Superintendent Karl Uterhardt, total $550,567, or the equivalent of an 11 percent cut from the state. Many of the cuts would eliminate full-time equivalent (FTE) positions, which can be distributed among multiple employees. Specifically, his proposal would:

• Cut 3.15 FTE positions from the district office;
• Eliminate all non-required field trips;
• Trim four certified FTE positions and 2.25 classified FTE jobs from Walter J. Meyer Elementary School;
• Close one building at Meyer to save on electricity;
• Shift fifth- and sixth-grade students from Meyer to Huachuca City School; and
• Cut one classified FTE position at Huachuca City School

No one doubts the state will make cuts, said Uterhardt. What's unknown is if a controversial one-cent sales tax going before Arizona voters in May will be approved.

If it is, said Uterhardt, he believes the district will still face a 6 to 12 percent cut. He and his administrative team are still compiling budget scenarios if the tax isn't approved.

"We're already a skeleton crew and we're taking ribs out," he told board members.

Uterhardt's proposal increases funding at Tombstone High School and Huachuca City School by adding positions in the special education curriculum, where student/faculty ratios were unacceptably high, said Uterhardt. The proposed budget also wouldn't cut transportation or food service personnel.