Administrators at the three local school districts are trying to develop fiscal year 2009-10 budgets without word from the Arizona State Legislature on possible cuts in education financing.

School officials know that additional cuts are coming, they just do not know how deep.

Prescott Unified School District is preparing for a cut to its Maintenance and Operations budget of about $2.5 million.

The Humboldt Unified School District is planning for cuts ranging from $3.5 million to $4.5 million.

Chino Valley Unified School District is looking to cut $4.4 million from its budget.

Since 90 percent of M&O budgets are personnel costs, the districts must prepare for a reduction in force.

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PRESCOTT VALLEY - The members of the Chino Valley, Humboldt, Prescott and Mayer school district governing boards will meet in a joint session at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, in the Bradshaw Mountain High School East Band Room.

Yavapai County School Superintendent Tim Carter will serve as facilitator during the joint work session.

The school board members and administrators plan to discuss possible joint efforts between the districts for cost savings in the following areas: transportation services, English Language Learner services, special education services, food services, purchasing and grant applications.

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PRESCOTT - The heavy pedestrian and bicycle traffic at the Four-Points intersection in Prescott faces some stiff competition: more than 46,000 vehicles that use the corner every day.

Flanked as it is by an elementary school, a hospital, and a business, the intersection gets plenty of action from a variety of transportation modes.

But spend a little time standing at the corner, and it is readily apparent that walkers and cyclists are at a bit of a disadvantage.

Case in point: Pedestrians regularly trot part of the way to make it across the wide roadway during the traffic signal’s allotted “walk” time; and bicyclists often use the sidewalks, in the absence of bike lanes.

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The Prescott College Art Gallery in the Sam Hill Warehouse will feature work from the college’s first juried art exhibition April 3-17. Visiting artist Richard Notkin will discuss Art & War in a lecture at the gallery 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 1. Notkin also will conduct a community workshop, “Ceramic Sculpture and Teapots: A Plethora of Techniques and Inspirations,” 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 4-5.Cost is $150 per person. Call 776-5258, ext. 1 for more information.

The Phippen Museum celebrates its 25th anniversary with “Remembering George,” an exhibit paying tribute to George Phippen, with permanent collection pieces and selected works from private collectors by Phippen and other Cowboy Artists. The show runs through July 26. Call 778-1385 for more information.

The Center for Biological Diversity has teamed up with local photographers, poets and Prescott College senior Allison Trowbridge to deliver a mixed-media interpretive exhibit, “The Verde River: Green Heart of Arizona - Endangered Desert Jewel” at the Prescott Public Library through March 31. Call 277-9155 for more information.

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