ADRIAN — The city school system is still looking at a budget deficit for the next school year, but it's not as bad as originally projected, a district official said.

Rick Olson, the district's business manager, has told the board of education the projected deficit for the 2002-2003 school year has been reduced to $167,000. Originally, the nearly 4,000-pupil district was looking at a $336,000 deficit.

Mr. Olson attributed the deficit reduction to an increase in the number of students enrolling in the district under the state's school of choice program. The program allows students to enroll in neighboring districts for free. This year, 80 students enrolled in Adrian, compared to 55 during the last school year.

The district is projecting a $1.5 million operating budget for the next school year. Mr. Olson said the district would continue to look at ways to balance the budget.

First Published November 11, 2002, 11:42 a.m.