There’s no money for new textbooks, no cash for supplies at schools and other programs, and there will be no funds for students traveling to some events. More furloughs and layoffs are expected.
That’s the budget crisis the Jackson County School System faces with its proposed 2010-2011 budget.
For district employees, there will be six furlough days next school year, and the elimination of at least four and a half teaching positions, along with a central office position.
Meanwhile, the board of education has directed superintendent Shannon Adams to recommend another round of layoffs in April with a Reduction in Force (RIF) plan.
“We can’t be all things to all people anymore,” said chairperson Kathy Wilbanks Thursday. “We really are going to have to really think about what it is we want to focus on — and then that has to become our priority, and then everything else has to go.”
The Jackson County Board of Education is considering a 2010-2011 budget of $85.9 million — compared to the current budget of $89.2 million. There is no proposal to increase property taxes.
In recent months, the board has had to submit a deficit reduction plan to the state to trim a $908,600 shortfall in the current budget. That deficit has been eliminated and district officials anticipate a $154,891 surplus at the end of the current fiscal June 30.
But with state revenue still dropping dramatically and one local legislator warning of more bad financial news coming from the Gold Dome for school systems, the district is slashing away at its proposed budget.
The latest cost cutting moves include some big changes: No supplies for schools or programs and more furlough days for employees.
Jeff Sanchez, assistant superintendent for finance and information services, presented a 2010-2011 budget Thursday that includes more than $2.8 million in cuts.
Among those cuts is more than $137,200 from supplies and travel costs for middle and high school band, chorus, drama and ROTC programs. It also includes the elimination of $227,400 in vocational funding at the county’s two high schools and $42,700 in vocational funding at the county’s three middle schools.
“There is nothing left in this budget at this point for supplies and materials for band, chorus and vocational,” Sanchez said Thursday.
The budget cuts don’t include the elimination of positions - just supplies, equipment and travel expenses.
“They’ll still be there, they just won’t have supplies,” Sanchez said.
Instead, organizations supporting the programs and schools - such as PTOs and booster clubs - are being asked to help fund supplies.
So far, Adams said the PTOs have been supportive of the funding request.
Sanchez presented the idea of allocating $10 per student fee for general supplies at each school, and another $10 for each high school student enrolled in a vocational program, $5 for each middle school student enrolled in a vocational program and $1 for each student in the district for media costs.
That proposal wasn’t included in Monday’s budget and will be considered again after district officials meet with principals on supply costs.
“(There’s) no supply money at all and I know we’ve got to put it back,” he said.
Supplies and expendable equipment for school administration and maintenance will also be cut by a total of $257,700 and not purchasing new textbooks will save an estimated $320,740.
By the way I teach high school and routinely am asked to give a kid a pen or pencil and to put together a packet of make up work for someone who was present in class, but can't turn in their assignments because they lost them.
My sister has been unemployed for 2 years, my son in law for 6 months only to find something part time...I can go on and on with family and friends in dier financial situations...Be content with what you have!
I attended school in the 60's and 70's, and was not involved in any vocational activities, Glee Club, Cheerleading etc...I went to school for an education. What school should be today, a learning place not a place for social activities.
Teachers are there to teach and yes sometimes especially during these hard economic times you may need to lend a child a pen or pencil...I remember a time when teachers were devoted to the future generation of this country placed under their direction...not just making money...What about America? Future presidents and leaders may be in your class, now is the time to mold this nations future. You can deter the economic failures of the day from repeating itself in the future...What are you teaching by your statements? Are you creating a desire to learn from anyone who reads your comments, I say not. I would be afraid to ask you for anything, you have made it very clear that anything you give comes with a price.