Oregon Public Broadcasting

About a dozen Idaho school districts have declared financial emergencies as the state cuts their funding.

Under a new state law, the declaration means districts can renegotiate labor contracts. Inland Northwest correspondent Doug Nadvornick reports on one north Idaho district that has decided to take that step.

Here's the bottom line for the school district in Priest River, Idaho.

First, it’s getting $400,000 less from the state next year, plus another cut for salaries and benefits.

That’s a big deal for a small school district that has already made deep cuts.

Superintendent Mike McGuire says the district has no choice but to declare a financial emergency. That puts pressure on teachers to commit to salary cuts for next year.

The district could get some relief with a local property tax levy that’s before voters on Tuesday. If they say no, McGuire says the district may choose to go to a four-day week and make even deeper cuts.

Mike McGuire: “When you’re talking about the possibility of a four-day week and the possibility of not having sports, band, choir, drama, after school activities, that’s really serious for a smaller community.”

Idaho school officials expect even more districts to choose the financial emergency route in 2010.