EASLEY — Members of the school board got a first look at the coming year’s budget Monday night and at the same time had to make a decision to approve further spending cuts for the current year.

Missy Campbell, head of finances for the school district, presented a budget for fiscal year 2009-2010 but said she expects it to change before final reading, calling it a “moving target” because of questions about state funding and federal stimulus money.

Preparing the new budget has been a challenge since those involved have also had to contend with cuts in the current year’s funding, she said.

The board passed first reading of next school year’s budget, which estimates almost $100.4 million in revenue and proposes a number of cuts, including a 25 percent reduction of non-personnel spending at the school district and supporting offices, a 25 percent cut in athletic programming, and a 10 day reduction in work days for some employees.

Campbell said at this point, they have cut $116,000 more than necessary.

Budget increases over last year include state-mandated step raises for teachers, health insurance increases, utility cost increases, and the elimination of furlough days implemented during the current budget year.

Other items that board may consider cutting if stimulus money doesn’t come in include nurses at middle and high schools, elementary technical assistants, student resource officers, ROTC supplements, guidance, assistant principals, a 5 percent administrative pay cut, and an additional 25 percent cut in school allocations.

Interim Superintendent Mendel Stewart said there was a 50/50 chance of getting that money and that the district would know this week.

“We presented a budget with the least impact at the school level, and I hope it will stay that way,” he said.

Furloughs may also be considered in the coming year.

Board members Kevin Kay and Dr. B.J. Skelton spoke out against state mandates that are either unfunded or underfunded.

“It’s ironic the legislature got us in this mess and is doing little to get us out,” Skelton said.

He noted that by law step pay increases for teachers were required, but at the same time, the district would be forced to cut working days for some other employees.

Board member Alex Saitta said he agreed about the unfunded mandates but that overall, the state legislature has been “relatively good to the district.”

He said Act 388 put school districts on an allowance.

The board must pass two more readings before the budget is final, and Campbell said she expects changes before it is finalized.

“We’ve still got a lot of work to do,” she said.