The picture of budget cuts in education might not be as bad asoriginally painted, according to a report from legislatorsMonday.

Legislators and department of education representatives met lastnight with school board members and officials from the LincolnCounty School District to explain the budget cuts.

The school district can expect to have a shortfall of about$22,400 this fiscal year, which ends in June, lawmakers told thegroup.

Confusion rather than relief immediately grew in the room asboard members and education officials looked at earlier figuresshowing at least $300,000 would be cut this year.

“We run the spreadsheets to let you know the worst casescenario,” explained Dr. Judy Rhodes, director of educationaccountability with the state department of education.

That original amount showing the worst possibility will bedecreased if legislators are successful in passing a bill to obtainan extra $64 million for public education.

“I believe they are going to hold this (bill) together. We’vegot a supportive speaker and lieutenant governor,” said Rep. JoeWarren, chairman of the education committee in the House.

Next year’s budget will look more hopeful as well for theLincoln County School District. District officials had been toldthey would face a $500,000 cut, which could have resulted in theelimination of some programs and personnel.

Now the district could face a shortfall of just $22,578 forfiscal year 2003. That budget would also include the needed moneyfor teacher pay raises, said Sen. Mike Chaney, vice chairman of theSenate’s education committee.

Lawmakers, including Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Rep. Dr. JimBarnett, explained how the first figures that panicked schooldistricts showed what would happen if Mississippi’s AdequateEducation Program (MAEP) was not funded at all.

The new figures include 80 percent funding for the MAEP, whichis extremely important in the survival of many schooldistricts.

District officials explained how the new figures sounded muchbetter, but they were still cautious because the budget was not’set in stone’ yet.

“We go into contracts with teachers, and then in the middle ofthe year we get cuts and we can’t get out of those contracts,” saidAssistant Superintendent of Education Dr. Leanne Summers.

Summers asked what the district should expect and prepare fornext year’s budget.

“I would tell you to place your budget on whatever thelegislative budget recommendations are,” said Chaney.

After the meeting, Superintendent of Education Perry Millercommented on what the new figures would mean for the district.

“For the sake of our children, I certainly hope this is true,”said Miller.

Miller and other district officials thanked the legislators andeducation officials for taking the time to explain the budget cutsand ease their worries about education for the children of LincolnCounty.

“We were certainly honored that such a distinguished group oflegislators saw fit to visit Lincoln County to discuss the currenteducational budget crisis,” said Miller.