As budget talks in the Legislature plod on, the question for area schools has become not if funding for education will be slashed, but how deeply.

State budget proposals from Democrats, Republicans and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger all include cuts to public schools ranging from $2.5 billion to $10.6 billion by June 2010.

The specter of midyear cuts has left Sacramento-area schools scrambling to readjust their own budgets, without a clear idea of how bad the cuts will be.

"They want the district budgets now, but of course they don't reciprocate," said Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David Gordon. "The districts are left to throw up their hands and say, 'What do we do?' "

Some districts are waiting until they know just how severe cuts will be. Others are aggressively reworking their budgets for the rest of this year and next, cutting positions or freezing spending or increasing the number of children in some classes.

The Bee talked to administrators in several districts about how they're tightening their financial belts.

Golden Oak Union and Pioneer Union school districts

In rural El Dorado County, Richard Williams is superintendent of both the Gold Oak Union and Pioneer Union districts, a situation that is in itself a cost-savings move.

Williams said there is no question that the proposed state budget plans will impact instructional programs at both his districts. He said the financial crisis for schools is the worst he's seen in his 34 years in education.

Depending on how deep the cuts are, Williams said programs such as after-school sports could be in jeopardy and library clerk positions – two in Gold Oak Union and one in Pioneer Union – could be on the chopping block.

Another potential area for cutbacks could be class-size reduction, which now includes kindergarten through third grade.

Natomas Unified School District

Last week, Natomas Unified administrators postponed contributions to the district's retirement fund, eliminated two positions at the district office and shut down a community mentoring program with a staff of 13 coordinators, said district spokeswoman Heidi Van Zant. The cuts amount to $2.9 million in savings for this fiscal year and next.

But Natomas still has been dipping into its reserve fund of almost $8 million and expects to spend half of that by the end of the fiscal year.

San Juan Unified School District

"We don't have any specific plans yet," said San Juan Unified spokesman Trent Allen. "We have started those discussions, but we are eagerly awaiting more info from the Capitol."

Elk Grove Unified School District

Steven Ladd, superintendent of Elk Grove Unified, said administrators are monitoring the budget situation closely.

"What we're doing is continuing to have really robust conversations looking through a new lens," Ladd said. "Not so much a new lens; it's a real critical lens."

That approach, Ladd said, might result in the district beginning to scrutinize "all purchases," mainly instructional materials, and considering layoffs.

Sacramento City Unified School District

At Sacramento City Unified, a freeze on hiring and travel not tied to grant money will continue. The use of clerical and teaching substitutes will be limited, in favor of principals and counselors stepping in when possible.

Even boxed lunches at some district training sessions could be slashed, said district spokeswoman Maria Lopez.

Folsom Cordova Unified School District

Folsom Cordova Unified Superintendent Pat Godwin has announced a "spending chill."

Approvals for expenditures – excluding certain essentials, Associated Student Body funds, federal categorical funds already received by the district and donor-funded grants – will be on a case-by-case basis through the superintendent or the deputy superintendent.

Purchases that aren't critical to student safety or instruction – such as a new classroom TV monitor – will be subject to the superintendent's scrutiny.

Godwin said the district might not replace certain certificated and classified staff members – such as counselors and custodians – who leave during the school year. Godwin said the district might also consider consolidating students by moving them to other classrooms.

Buckeye Union School District

"In general, we started the process last January and looked at potential hits to our budget and set up a steering committee," said Buckeye Superintendent Terry Wenig. "As a result of that, we have some reserves in this year's budget in anticipation of this (midyear cuts) happening."

But the El Dorado County district's reserves, she said, might not be enough to survive the most severe cuts to education included in a proposed Republican budget plan.

Call The Bee's Robert Faturechi, (916) 321-1098.