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Highlands Today

School District Braces For More Budget Cuts

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By MARC VALERO

Highlands Today

Published: November 23, 2008

SEBRING - The school district will face a "big" funding cut in 2009-10, Superintendent Wally Cox said, unless something changes drastically.

Cox believes the district could face an $8.6 to $14 million cut in state funding.

At a school board budget workshop recently, Assistant Superintendent of Business/Finance Mike Averyt said he wore his Looney Tunes tie because the Legislature must be looney if it thinks the school district can get by with these funding cuts.

Averyt summed up the funding cuts that will affect the 2008-09 fiscal year:

•The Florida Department of Education reported that the first cut will be 1.93 percent ($1.65 million).

•The district was informed there may be another special session with an additional 1 percent cut ($857,333).

•A decline in enrollment of 309 students will reduce funding further ($1.8 million), but the district may receive $313,220, which is designed to help districts with declining enrollments.

•After the district already cut expenses for its current budget, the total projected shortfall for 2008-09 is nearly $4 million.

Cox said the district expects those cuts to continue into the 2009-10 fiscal year.

The district would not receive the declining enrollment funding in 2009-10, so the revenue shortfall would be $4.3 million, he said. But, he is doubling that number to a $8.6 million shortfall.

A couple of lobbyists said funding may revert to the 2005-06 level, which would be a $14 million funding cut for the district, Cox noted.

After conferring with principals and Teachers Union President Steve Picklesimer, Cox said he is recommending "not" renewing contracts with personnel working through an "extended" Deferred Retirement Option Plan (D.R.O.P).

The employees could be rehired, to a teaching position (if qualified), after one month. Their salary would be at a starting teacher's level, but they would be able to start collecting retirement benefits.

This would affect an estimated 20 employees and save the district about $470,000, Cox said.

Cox provided the school board with a list of budget cutting suggestions other districts in the state have implemented or considered.

He also provided a short list of a few of the suggestions and how much money they would save:

•A 2 percent salary reduction for all employees - $1.29 million.

•Employees pay a portion (15 percent) of their health insurance - $1.52 million.

•A six-period day for high schools, which would require 17 fewer teachers - $981,257.

•A six- or seven-period day for middle schools, which would require 12 fewer teachers - $692,652.

Cox also suggested, but without cost savings estimates, eliminating transportation for students who live less than two miles from their school and a further reduction of district-level positions.

School Board Member J. Ned Hancock said if 7 or 8 percent is cut from the budget, some "monumental changes" will be needed, but with a goal of maintaining a high level of instruction.

Marc Valero can be reached at 863-386-5826 or mvalero@highlandstoday.com

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