Rapid City School District staff and administration have been looking at ways to cut the district's budget since August but still say they can't comment on the process or on any potential cuts.

The administration first talked about ways to reduce the 2009-10 budget at a board retreat in August, according to Dave Janak, business manager for the district. Principals were asked to meet with their staffs and make recommendations on cuts and ways to be more efficient.

The issue arose at Thursday's school board meeting. Superintendent Peter Wharton said the concept of an across-the-board cut is not a new one; it was considered last year as the district prepared to cut $2.7 million from its budget.

Principals called Friday for comment about how they were asking staff members to recommend cuts told the Journal they couldn't comment on the process. Wharton said the district is not trying to hide anything.

"We've been having conversations; there's nothing secretive about it," he said. "We want to be sure we have it down to the extent we can" before discussing potential cuts publicly, he said.

The main issue in determining cuts is deciding how they affect student achievement, he said.

"The most effective way is to address that with staff," by asking for their input, he said.

Wharton said that once a plan is in place, district staff will take it "on the road," as they did last year, to explain cuts and operations to the community in public forums.

Janak said school district staff have been encouraged to provide suggestions by Christmas. Public input meetings will be scheduled in January. The preliminary budget must be ready for a public hearing in June and the final budget approved in October.

Contact Kayla Gahagan at 394-8410 or kayla.gahagan@rapidcityjournal.com.