Local school systems are struggling to meet Gov. Sonny Perdue’s latest cost-cutting mandates, including three days of furloughs for teachers.
Last week in a conference call, Perdue cited continued declines in state funds and ordered that all teachers take three days of furloughs by Dec. 31 — but without missing any teaching days.
Furloughs, new budget cuts vex local school systems
In addition, the governor announced another three-percent cut in state funding for the upcoming school year.
The Jackson County School System will take its furloughs next Wednesday, Thursday, Oct. 15, and Monday, Jan. 4.
“I know that is a little after Dec. 31, but that doesn’t matter to me,” advised superintendent Shannon Adams.
Wednesday would have been the first day of pre-planning. The other two days were teacher workdays. Adams said all system employees, with the possible exception of bus drivers, will be furloughed.
The Commerce Board of Education held a called meeting Tuesday night to discuss the matter. The board voted to take Monday, Oct. 26, Friday, Dec. 18 and Monday, Jan. 4. All were already student holidays and teacher work days.
Both superintendents indicated that they consider the furloughs to amount to three days of unpaid labor for teachers.
“The teachers are going to do what they need to do to have everything ready for the kids,” McCoy said.
“I agree,” Adams responded. “The vast majority of the teachers will be there as long as it takes to get the job done.”
The latest round of funding cuts — the ninth of this budget, according to McCoy — presents another set of problems.
For Commerce, McCoy estimated that it will amount to $350,000. Adams said Jackson County must absorb “a little over $850,000.”
Commerce has some reserves it can tap. Jackson County doesn’t. Final figures from the last school year are expected to show a $1 million deficit, Adams said.
“It is going to be extremely difficult for us to absorb that cut,” he said. “We have already done everything we thought we could do without getting deep into personnel. I don’t know what other options we have.”
In addition to the state funding cuts, property tax revenue is not coming in like normal.
Adams would like to see the General Assembly allow school systems to tap into restricted SPLOST money for a few months. While much of the county’s $7 million SPLOST reserves are committed to construction projects, the flexibility to tap SPLOST to augment operations would be a huge relief.
More To Come?
Given the recent history, both superintendents expect to see more furloughs and further budget cuts.
“We anticipate another cut after Christmas,” he said. “We would only hope we would be told before then. If we have to furlough more days, the first day back is a teacher workday. We don’t have many days in the second half of the school year to play with.”
“I’m convinced there will be more furloughs,” said Adams. “They’re setting the stage to do it again after the first of the year.”
Both also anticipate further QBE cuts.
Adams warned of consequences.
“Any additional cuts will potentially do serious damage to the instructional programs,” he predicted. “At some point in time, you can’t let people go without doing damage in terms of class size or reduction in service to kids.”
The Jackson County School System will take its furloughs next Wednesday, Thursday, Oct. 15, and Monday, Jan. 4.
“I know that is a little after Dec. 31, but that doesn’t matter to me,” advised superintendent Shannon Adams.
Wednesday would have been the first day of pre-planning. The other two days were teacher workdays. Adams said all system employees, with the possible exception of bus drivers, will be furloughed.
The Commerce Board of Education held a called meeting Tuesday night to discuss the matter. The board voted to take Monday, Oct. 26, Friday, Dec. 18 and Monday, Jan. 4. All were already student holidays and teacher work days.
Both superintendents indicated that they consider the furloughs to amount to three days of unpaid labor for teachers.
“The teachers are going to do what they need to do to have everything ready for the kids,” McCoy said.
“I agree,” Adams responded. “The vast majority of the teachers will be there as long as it takes to get the job done.”
The latest round of funding cuts — the ninth of this budget, according to McCoy — presents another set of problems.
For Commerce, McCoy estimated that it will amount to $350,000. Adams said Jackson County must absorb “a little over $850,000.”
Commerce has some reserves it can tap. Jackson County doesn’t. Final figures from the last school year are expected to show a $1 million deficit, Adams said.
“It is going to be extremely difficult for us to absorb that cut,” he said. “We have already done everything we thought we could do without getting deep into personnel. I don’t know what other options we have.”
In addition to the state funding cuts, property tax revenue is not coming in like normal.
Adams would like to see the General Assembly allow school systems to tap into restricted SPLOST money for a few months. While much of the county’s $7 million SPLOST reserves are committed to construction projects, the flexibility to tap SPLOST to augment operations would be a huge relief.
More To Come?
Given the recent history, both superintendents expect to see more furloughs and further budget cuts.
“We anticipate another cut after Christmas,” he said. “We would only hope we would be told before then. If we have to furlough more days, the first day back is a teacher workday. We don’t have many days in the second half of the school year to play with.”
“I’m convinced there will be more furloughs,” said Adams. “They’re setting the stage to do it again after the first of the year.”
Both also anticipate further QBE cuts.
Adams warned of consequences.
“Any additional cuts will potentially do serious damage to the instructional programs,” he predicted. “At some point in time, you can’t let people go without doing damage in terms of class size or reduction in service to kids.”
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