While everything else on the books checks out, the administration of the Lewis Cass Intermediate School district anticipates carrying forward deficits for each of its funds heading into the new school year.

ISD Superintendent Bob Colby made the first of several planned stops in front of county school boards on Monday, presenting the district’s preliminary 2015-16 to the members of the Dowagiac Union Schools Board of Education. The educator reported that the ISD anticipates an increase to the deficits of both its general fund balance and special education budgets, coming to $134,401 and $290,624, respectively.

The ISD is required to submit their projected budget to each school district it services every year, Colby said. The district provides a variety of programs to Cass County students in coordination with the schools, including special education, instructional services, and career technical education.

The district anticipates moving the $125,000 deficit it is projected to run for this year’s general fund budget cycle into next year’s, Colby reported to the board.

“It’s being carried purposely,” Colby said. “It is a healthy account. The deficit really comes from initiatives we carry on in each local district that drive student achievement through professional development.”

Part of the reason for the shortfall in the general fund is due to the fact that district is devoting a larger chunk of its state-provided revenue, designated as Section 81 funds, to its growing needs on the special education budget. As a result, the ISD plans on making adjustments to its student achievement services, based on requests from district superintendents, Colby said.

“They’ve asked us to change or take a little bit different direction in how we support student achievement around the county, and we will start doing that next year,” Colby said.

While the transfer of Section 81 funds has not yet been reflected on their current special education projections, the superintendent does anticipate increased expenditures compared to last year, primarily in pupil services, administration and transportation costs.

While the district has done some cost cutting in recent years to reduce this problem, many of its special education services are mandated by state or federal law, Colby said.

“One of the things we don’t have the ability to do is to reduce or diminish programs,” Colby said. “Our obligation is to provide those services on behalf of local school districts. But we have been able to make other things happen inside that budget that, from year to year, has helped us avoid a huge deficit and bill backs to our locals.”

One project the ISD is spending more on is on its advertising campaign, which it launched last year in order to increase the visibility of their services, Colby said.

A potential solution to the administration’s deficit issue is a potential restoration millage, which the ISD hopes that increased advertising will help garner greater public support, he added.

The members of the Dowagiac school board voted later in the evening to accept the proposed budget.