Voluntary departures bring school system to nearly half of positions targeted to meet $14.5 million budget deficit

The Fayette County School System is inching its way toward the goal of reducing 157 school staff positions by July 1.

Board members Monday night were told that 12 more staff members would either be resigning or retiring at the end of the school year. That brings to 75 the number that voluntarily will not be returning next year.

The numbers announced included four retirements and eight resignations, according to Superintendent John DeCotis.

Targeted reductions include 102.07 contract employees at the elementary schools, 22 employees at middle schools and 32.66 employees at high schools.

Board members in late February were told by Human Resources Director Dr. Reanee Ellis that the targeted reductions at the county’s high schools had already been reached through attrition.

Pertaining to the current 12 staff announced Monday, board member Dr. Bob Todd asked if those positions were all in the right category.

“It’s working out fine,” Ellis responded.

School board members have long stated their desire that all reductions be handled through attrition.

The decision to reduce 157 staff positions came after months of lengthy cost-cutting discussions aimed at trimming $14.5 million off the FY 2009-2010 budget that begins July 1. Other measures included in recent cuts included the elimination of several central office positions.

Board members last week voted to require an across-the-board pay cut of 4.5 percent to complete the $14.5 million target. Comptroller Laura Brock Monday said the pay cuts approved last week, set to take effect July 1, rounded out the targeted amount.

Still unsettled is an austerity cut announced last week by the state that will withhold an additional $1.3 million from Fayette between now and June 30.

Brock said Monday that the amount has been reduced to approximately $1 million due to the reception in recent days of approximately $300,000 in eRate network and telecommunications funds due last year.

The $1 million that remains a shortfall for this school year will have to be carried over into the coming budget year if a way cannot be found to cut more expenses in the next few months.