Schools cutting budget

Faced with a state demand that the school district return $555,000 to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, the Burke County Board of Education's finance subcommittee whittled away at the budget on Thursday.
Working with the administration's recommendations, the finance subcommittee found the necessary cuts without reducing the existing staff.
However, previously planned positions won't be filled. The list includes teachers for students with limited English proficiency and support staff members such as counselors, psychologists and media coaches. Some support for the exceptional-children's program may go away, too.
Superintendent David Burleson said, "The good news is that, through the hard work of our staff, we were able to identify money that won't have a direct impact in the classroom or impact staff salaries and benefits."
School Board Chair Tim Buff said he is satisfied with the committee's decisions, but pessimistic about what might happen if the state wants more budget cuts.
"While I am pleased that no one is being let go; that no classrooms will be combined, consolidated or increased; (and) that no money will be taken directly out of the classroom, I am concerned about what we will do if the state comes back to us with another reversion request," Buff said.
The state government faces a $2-billion budget shortfall because of the economic downturn's effects.
Three weeks ago, NCDPI told all school districts and charter schools that they would have to return money to Raleigh.
The order came when a little more than half of the budget year remained.
"This is a challenging time for all school systems throughout the state," Burleson said at the outset of Thursday's meeting.
Here in Burke County, the lion's share of the "reversion" will be accomplished by not spending budgeted money, instead of allocating hard dollars, according to School Finance Officer Keith Lawson.
Eliminating plans to add interpreters and English as a second language (ESL) teachers is one of the easier choices. Burleson said the Burke County schools have seen a decrease in the number of students who need intensive English-language instruction..
It's harder to give up funds previously earmarked to cover a shortfall in the state's support for educating exceptional children.
Among the 14,000 students in Burke County Public Schools, 17 percent — nearly 2,400 — qualify for the exceptional-children program.
However, the state support for the program covers a maximum of 12.5 percent of the student population — approximately 1,680 students in Burke County's case.
The school district needs approximately $750,000 each year to make up the 4.5 percent funding difference.
This year's budget included an additional $80,000-plus for the program.
"It's been our goal to squirrel a little back to assist us with the next year's EC shortfall," said Lawson. "In effect, we won't have that cushion next year."
Although the Burke County schools may have averted serious financial problems in the near term, it's the future that now worries school officials.
Gov. Mike Easley on Wednesday called for additional budget reversions of 3 to 7 percent from various state agencies. He excluded public schools, but there is no guarantee that the schools won't be asked to give up more funds in the future.
"If that happens," warned Burleson, "services would have to be cut and the little that we have left in our fund balance would have to be utilized."
Buff said, "I wish we could tell the state just to take it out of the $7 million that they currently owe us."
He referred to this school district's share of an estimated $748 million the state collected in civil fines and forfeitures from 1996 through 2005. The courts ruled earlier this year that the state should have given the money to the schools and now must repay them. Each district's share will be based on it 2008-09 enrollment.
The Burke County Board of Education will discuss the finance subcommittee's recommendations at the board's next regularly scheduled meeting at 6 p.m. Monday at Draughn High School.
A reception for the community will precede the meeting. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.