ERLANGER — Although Kentucky's schools were spared from last year's state budget cuts, education dollars may not be able to avoid the chopping block this year and are expected to take a hit next year.

        So the state is asking district superintendents to offer advice on how to make those cuts.

        In regional superintendent meetings across the state this week, districts are being asked for suggestions on easing the state's budget crisis — an assignment many opposed.

        Superintendents don't need to suggest budget cuts but need to demand that education be a priority, said Kenton County Schools Superintendent Susan Cook.

        “If you have to cut, don't cut in education,” Mrs. Cook said. “If it's not built on education, the state isn't built on anything.”

        Despite a $326 million anticipated revenue shortfall this year because of a sluggish economy, Gov. Paul Patton has said he wants to keep education spending intact. But State Budget Director James Ramsey told a group of superintendents last week that cuts in education were likely next year — primarily because elementary through postsecondary education accounts for nearly two-thirds of the state budget.

        So Mr. Ramsey, along with Education Commissioner Gene Wilhoit, asked regional education cooperatives to lead this week's discussion of possible cutbacks.

        Northern Kentucky superintendents met Wednesday. Most echoed Mrs. Cook, decrying the state for not giving enough support to schools.

        “We're disappointed that after all the lip service that the state of Kentucky has given to K-12 education and all the comments they've made about the quality of teachers and performance of students, now they're talking about making further cuts,” Beechwood Superintendent Fred Bassett said.

        Despite protests, some superintendents made suggestions for cuts.

        Erlanger-Elsmere Superintendent Jim Molley called the $22 million in rewards given to schools with improved performance on state tests “icing on the cake” that could be cut.

        Mr. Bassett suggested cutting funding for school-resource centers, while Fort Thomas Superintendent Larry Stinson tossed up safe-schools dollars — funds for drug- and violence-prevention programs.

        Covington Superintendent Jack Moreland suggested trimming budgets for textbooks and teacher training.

        What won't be cut is health-insurance payments for district workers who are federally funded.

        The state had planned to cut nearly $11 million this year in payments to school districts to pay health-insurance benefits for federally funded workers. But the decision was reversed last month in response to superintendents' concerns, although the suggestion may resurface next year.

        While the suggested cuts are aimed at next year, education may still face cuts this year as the state looks for ways to deal with the shortfall, said Kyna Koch, associate commissioner of district support services for the Kentucky Department of Education.

        Other agencies and departments have carried the bulk of the cuts so far, so education is likely to be targeted next, she said, encouraging districts to spend lightly.

        Covington has already taken steps to prepare for state budget cuts. Mr. Moreland put a freeze on all district spending last week until January. The district is also tightening spending on overtime, travel and supplies.

        The spending freeze won't affect staffing and programs already in place, he said.

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