Dawson County school officials are preparing to tighten belts districtwide as they ready for another round of state funding cuts.

State leaders spoke last week with Keith Porter, Dawson County Schools superintendent, about looming reductions in contributions to local systems.

The state cuts could lower the system’s general fund balance by about 72 percent, Porter said. The school system’s 2010 ending fund balance was $3.2 million.

Possible state cuts could leave the system with a $912,000 balance going into 2011.

The Dawson County School Board unanimously approved a $33.7 million 2011 budget last week that takes into account the possible reductions.

The system may look at more furlough days for employees and deeper cuts to benefits if conditions do not improve.

In June, the school board approved a resolution to increase class sizes, following the state’s decision to remove such limitations.