Charles City, IA- One local school district is looking at possibly selling property to help dig themselves out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in budget deficits. The Charles City school board met Monday to discuss ways to trim its budget. For many area schools finding the solution to declining enrollments is like trying to unlock a padlock without knowing the combination.

"We're looking at what's best for the school district, what's best for the community," said Charles City school board member Randy Heitz.

Charles City's school board is in charge of figuring out ways to trim a budget $300,000 in the red for next year.

"In a time of declining enrollments the district has to make sure it has the resources to move forward with," said Heitz.
    
Board member Randy Heitz says one of the resources that might have to go is Jefferson school. It's actually the elementary school Heitz went to as a child.

"It's a building that has a lot of memories. Like playing marbles on the ground, swinging on the swings, breaking my arm when I fell off the slide," said Heitz.
    
But since 2006 recess has been out on its playgrounds. The school has been out of use.

"The likelihood of re-opening the elementary school building is bleak," said Heitz.
   
The district also pays about $14,000 a year in maintenance on the building. So instead of letting it just sit, Heitz and another board member now need to find out what they can do. First on the list for now, is selling the property.

"We don't know what the options are. That’s what we'll be researching," said Heitz.
   
Despite daunting deficits, board members like Heitz are willing to do the research and figure out how to "crack the code." That way they can make the budget work while giving kids the best education possible.

The Charles City school board made $100,000 in cuts to its budget on Monday night, including cutting a junior high teacher position. The board meets again in June.