FAIRFIELD - A projected June 2003 deficit of $2 million in the Fairfield Schools has been revised, giving school officials more time to study finances before putting an operating levy back on the ballot.

        Treasurer Scott Gooding said the district would end the 2002-03 school year with a balance of $293,000 or 0.004 percent of the district's general fund budget. The change from a deficit to positive ending balance, Mr. Gooding said, came about from several factors that had been unknown four months ago.

        Those factors, two grants totaling $430,000 and spending cuts imposed last month after voters rejected a 5.6-mill operating levy mean the district can wait until November 2002 or May 2003 to put an operating levy before voters. Those cuts will continue to be in effect the rest of this school year and the next, Superintendent Robert Farrell said Thursday.

        “This will allow the district more flexibility,” Mr. Gooding said. “But when you continue to spend more money than you bring in, you do have problems and that's where we are. We will still need a levy, but not so soon.”

        Enrollment increased by 245 students, the largest jump in 10 years, Mr. Farrell said. That, combined with slightly higher per-pupil state aid, means another $1.3 million would be put into district coffers this year and next year, Mr. Gooding said.

        The value of property in the district has increased from just over $1 billion to $1.1 billion.

        Also, reports received last week from the auditor's office show that taxes businesses pay on inventory and equipment will also increase, Mr. Gooding said.

        “I think how blessed the taxpayers are. It's not often it works out this way to our benefit,” said Anne Crone, president of the Fairfield Board of Education. “This is one time when somebody, somewhere, is smiling on us.”

        Mr. Farrell and Mr. Gooding said they would monitor spending and revenues closely through the end of the fiscal year, then reassess the district's finances before making a recommendation on an operating levy. Should the district go for an operating levy in November, the millage would probably be smaller than the November 2001 levy that voters rejected, Mr. Gooding said.

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