(West Harrison, Ind.) - Sunman-Dearborn Community Schools leaders hope the district will be financially stable within the next few years.

The Batesville Herald Tribune reports Charles Blake, the corporation's financial operations director, says the general fund will be have a deficit of about $2.8 million by the end of 2010. The general fund dollars are used to pay utilities, teacher salaries and benefits, and other operating costs.

Depending on the tax draw and increased enrollment, Sunman-Dearborn could be only over $600,000 in the red by the end of 2011 where expenses are estimated at about $22.9 million while the district would take in about $24.2 million in revenue.

Blake’s forecast could be thwarted, however, if further education funding cuts are made at the state level.