Education budget starting to materialize
March 4, 2010 by Bryan Rothamel · View Comments
PALMYRA — The Fluvanna School Board made significant steps towards getting the education budget closer to balanced.
Looking at a budget already of $3.1 million less than the budget for fiscal year 2010, the budget for fiscal year 2011 was still short another $3.17 million. It is projected there will be significant reductions from state and local funding.
“The only way the [deficit] number will make a significant move is if we make a significant move,” said Chairwoman Barbara Gibbons, Rivanna District.
The School Board will present a a budget for public comment that includes a reduction in salary and staff.
The percentage of salary reduction is based on total salary. The steps are a two percent reduction for employees making $25,001 – $40,000, 3.5 percent reduction for those making $40,001 – $70,000 and 4.5 percent reduction for staff making over $70,000.
The reduction in staff needs to equal $1.05 million worth of costs. The average cost of an employee is estimated to be $70,000.
The School Board is planning on implementing early retirement for the second consecutive year. There are 27 teachers, six administrators and 15 other employees eligible.
The reductions in salary and staff combined are estimated to be $2.4 million. The measures will still leave the budget approximately $1.8 million short.
The discussed budget already includes cuts in instruction items such as materials and supplies, textbook funds, professional development funds and tuition for Charlottesville Albemarle Technical Education Center, J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College and Piedmont Virginia Community College classes on the PVCC campus.
The board wants to still pay for 11 students who have already enrolled in a two-year program at CATEC so they can complete the courses. All FCHS students will have the option to take courses at CATEC and PVCC but will have to pay the tuition and provide transportation.
Also included are reduced stipends by 50 percent and school technology funds. Summer school has been cut but the board has discussed using early retired teachers to run the program at no cost. Early retirees need to work minimal hours as per the early retirement agreement.
The public session to discuss the budget will be next Wednesday, March 10 in the School Board Room of Palmyra School. The meeting is scheduled to start at 7 pm.
——
Procedural note: If planning to attend the School Board meeting on March 10, please note there are two sheets to sign to give public comments. One sheet is to sign up to give public comment during the opening comments. The second sheet is to give public comment during the budget part of the meeting. The School Board has asked to make sure you know which one you are signing up for.
Related posts:
- Budget woes could force layoffs, cuts PALMYRA — Fluco Blog has learned how Fluvanna proposes to...
- Salary cuts, layoffs last resort PALMYRA — The School Board Members made clear the last...
- School Board budget still has to shrink Palmyra — Budget woes of the county met the harsh...
- Smith announces retirement Palmyra — Shocking meeting attendees and the School Board, Fluvanna...
- School Board reacts to retirement announcement PALMYRA — When Fluvanna County Public Schools’ superintendent Dr. Tom...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
