The Wolford School District has operated in the black the past two school terms, but enter the 2009-10 one projecting a small deficit.

General fund expenditures are expected to exceed revenues by about $18,000, says Larry Zavada, school superintendent.

The Wolford school board reviewed the new budget at its meeting late last month. Revenues are figured at about $801,000 with expenses at nearly $820,000.

Employee salaries make up a significant amount of the district’s expenses and it was necessary to hire 20 percent of a teacher contract with Rolla’s district for pre-school and special education instruction this term. And that additional staffing contributed in a budget showing a deficit.

The district does, however, enter the term with a cash balance of about$120,000, Zavada said.

It was just three years ago, the district had nearly $70,000 in reserves, but the past two years managed to underspending its budget and receive additional revenues.

The district employs 14 classroom and administrative positions and six ancillary staff. The districts of Wolford and Rolette will share six teachers.

Two new teachers will join the district this term. Caren Hoiby will be a share music instructor between Wolford and Rolette. She replaces Jolene Dunn, who resigned. Joan Youngerman has been contracted to teach art. She is from Cando.

Zavada said projected K-12 enrollment is 45 – a drop of three from last year. The first day of school is Aug. 19.