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School board eyes more budget cutsTue, 09/15/2009 - 4:11pm
By: Ben Nelms
State may slash 5% in already reduced funds; BoE sets up 5 committees to plan what, whom to cut With the effects of the recession still evident, the Fayette County Board of Education Monday night talked about what additional state budget cuts might mean. The original $185.5 million Fayette budget was hit with $3.95 million in state cuts around the time the school system’s fiscal year began July 1. Those cuts came in the form of three staff furlough days to be taken before Dec. 31, a 3 percent reduction in pay, a 5 percent decrease for nurses and a 5 percent cut to transportation. Bumping up the tax millage rate one-quarter mill to its statutory maximum added $1.58 million, with the budget now at $183.1 million. So what would additional state-imposed cuts look like in terms of a monetary impact? Comptroller Laura Brock said there is some talk of upcoming cuts of up to 5 percent more. Each state-imposed furlough day costs $425,000 and each 1 percent pay cut amounts to $857,000, she said. Brock suggested a combination of one or more potential ways to offset those cuts. The school board could opt to use its $1.625 million in contingency money incorporated into the current budget or it could utilize a reduction-in-force during the second semester for non-contracted staff. The board could also choose to reduce the supplemental amounts paid toward employee benefits. Regarding state-imposed furlough days, Brock explained that each furlough day in Fayette amounts to $620,500 rather than the $425,000 paid through state dollars. That is because Fayette employs a large number of staff, teachers and otherwise, who are paid, not with state QBE (Quality Basic Education) dollars, but with local tax dollars. The school system is currently establishing five committees to review other areas that might be tapped to save on expenditures. Those include extended day for those teaching extra classes, extended year for teachers paid to instruct failing students after school or during the summer, supplements paid for coaching and academic teams, transportation for tightening bus routes and school day/calendar to look at shortening or lengthening the school day or school year. Anyone interested in serving on one of the committees can contact Kathy Smith at smith.katherine@fcboe.org. login to post comments |