(CORRECTION: A correction regarding a portion of this story has been made.)

A proposal for district-wide furloughs in the Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools District could be made later this school year.

In preparation for the need to cut at least $14.6 million, one or two-day a year furloughs could be suggested for approval in the district.

"The district would close for one or two days," said Cynthia Lane, assistant superintendent in the school district. "If we were to do that it would save $650,000."

The proposed furloughs, which would be an unpaid day off for all district employees, was suggested by a budget committee formed of the district's principal.

Other budget reductions recommended from the committee would include:

• The school resource officer program would be cut, saving $100,000.

• The pre-school calendar would be changed to save $50,000 on transportation.

• The district's summer school program would be reduced by $500,000.

The district has announced it would likely dip into its contingency funding by $3 million. The principal's committee returned $10 million of cuts in recommendations.

One painful cut that would come at a later time is the entire athletic and activities budget in the district. If the programs were cut, the district would save over $1.1 million.

"We don't want to even discuss these things, but it's something we may have to consider," Lane said.

Kansas City, Kan., Board of Education president Gloria Willis said the cuts could be made if state funding is slashed.

"We don't want to do it if it's possible," she said. 

PICTURED: Board of Education President Gloria Willis and KCK Public Schools Superintendent Jill Shackelford.

The Board of Public Utilities will begin its budget presentation next Monday.

All week, board members and administrators will meet at the utility's administration building at 540 Minnesota Avenue to discuss the 2010 budget.

The meeting schedule:

• Monday, Dec. 7: The overview of the proposed budget will be presented. A strategic plan will be developed. The meeting will last from 1-5 p.m.

• Tuesday, Dec. 8: Administrative Division budgets, which include accounting, general management, human resources, customer service and purchasing/supply. The meeting is from 1-5 p.m.

• Wednesday, Dec. 9: Electric operations, technology division, electric production and supply division will have their presentations. The meeting is from 1-5 p.m.

• Thursday, Dec. 10: The water division will make the final presentation for the week. A wrap-up and follow-up will be made.

• Wednesday, Dec. 16: The budget will be approved by board members.

The public is welcomed to all meetings.

After Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson announced a transfer of $50 million from the State Highway Fund to the state's general fund, the Kansas Department of Transportation said the cuts will hurt the department in terms of jobs and quality.

So far this year, KDOT has had $229 million in revenue adjustments due to budget cuts.

“These reductions will have long-term fiscal consequences that will require additional spending in future fiscal years to return the system to good condition,” K-DOT Secretary Deb Miller said. "We are filling very few job vacancies and many of our maintenance crews are short-staffed. That means we are able to do less, and there is a consequence to that. If the winter season is significant and prolonged, costs that exceed our budget for salt, sand and overtime must be absorbed with our remaining operating budget authority."

The 2010 construction budget is about 40 percent of the annual construction spending the past 10 years.

KDOT will also limit equipment purchases by 50 percent, cancel several studies and suspend the purchase of equipment for various projects in Kansas.