Lebanon and Sweet Home school districts are developing plans to cut spending in light of a state revenue shortfall this year.

The Lebanon School Board will need to cut slightly more than $1 million from its $32,968,703 general fund by the end of the school year, Interim Superintendent George Lanning said.

Half of that cut comes from the governor's reduction. The other half comes from a reduced state payment based on audit figures from the 2007-08 school year, during which Lebanon officials overestimated enrollment and received more in local tax collections, which decreases the state payment.

Other additional expenses include Lanning's own salary and benefits, the $10,000 the board agreed to pay the Oregon School Boards Association to take on the search for a permanent replacement, and any travel expenses board members accumulate to visit candidates in other districts.

The buyout package for former superintendent Jim Robinson affects the reductions only slightly because his salary already was a part of the budget, Lanning said. Only the vacation time still left unused this year remains to be paid.

Lebanon board members will consider a resolution for possible layoffs at their meeting Monday. That doesn't mean layoffs actually will occur, Lanning said, but the resolution puts the option on the table for possible action.

Other options include reducing the school year, holding vacant positions open and taking other steps not yet explored, Lanning said.

In Sweet Home, the general fund of $20,350,118 needs to be cut by $258,000, and the school improvement fund of $540,000 by $38,000, Business Director Kevin Strong said.

"Our administration is working on reduction recommendations that we will present to our school board at the Dec. 8 board meeting," he said.

Jennifer Moody can be reached at jennifer.moody@lee.net.