But plans to reduce bus service in grades K-9 are on hold, waiting for cost figures administrators hope to get in the next week or so.

That is a change from plans announced in February that said students in grades K-9 who lived less than one mile from their school would not get bus service.

"The fact is that's what we told people we were going to do. I'm concerned that we're backing off now," said board member Dan Warncke.

Circumstances have changed since that decision was made, administrators said. This summer, the district contracted with Petermann LLC to provide bus service. The district has grown by nearly 600 students instead of the 400 projected.

That growth plus other factors have affected the state funding formula for transportation and operations. Treasurer Alan Hutchinson said he must also update the district's financial outlook. He said Tuesday he is waiting for final figures from the Butler County Auditor's Office before providing that update.

The bus service reduction is part of cost-cutting measures following defeat of a combination levy voters rejected in March. Spending was cut by $7.5 million. If voters reject a 7.7-mill levy Nov. 2, bus service reduction would begin Jan. 18, said Doug Lantz, business manager.

Another $5 million to $6 million would have to be cut from the 2005-2006 budget, Hutchinson estimated.

"We have a looming deficit and we need to address it," Superintendent Kathleen Klink said.

The levy would provide $80.3 million to build three schools and expand two others, along with $12.4 million for day-to-day operations. Taxes would increase $236 annually on a $100,000 house.

Recommendations on further cuts will be made at the board's Sept. 27 meeting.

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