News
Fort Mill schools give initial OK to cut 47 jobs
March 9, 2010
Fort Mill schools give initial OK to cut 47 jobs
By Toya Graham - Fort Mill Times
Cutting more than 40 jobs, eliminating middle school sports and requiring employee furloughs are among the money-saving measures given initial approval Monday by the Fort Mill school board as the district looks to make up a projected shortfall in the 2010-2011 budget.
The moves would save the district more than $5.4 million, officials said.
"This budget is reflective of the circumstances that our state and local community finds itself in," Superintendent Keith Callicutt said. "We hate that we're even having to discuss this level of cutting in our operational budget, but it's necessary to balance our budget for 2010-2011."
The cuts were approved at Fort Mill High School in front of an audience of around 100 people, many of whom were teachers.
The district took a blow this year to the tune of $2,298,788 in state funding, and more cuts are expected next year, Callicutt said.
"The bottom line is $5.4 million in cuts," Callicutt said after the meeting. "There is no way we will continue to function with the same level of personnel we currently have when 87 percent of our operational budget is on salaries and fringe benefits."
Two weeks ago, the school board's special budget committee completed its task of dissecting just what programs and positions the district could trim from next year's budget. Suggested cuts then were given to the school board for consideration.
"You are about to hear some very disturbing news about what we can not carry into our budget next year," Board chairman Patrick White said just before the board waded through a list of 28 areas that faced being cut to bridge the budget shortfall.
The positions that would be cut include teaching, administrative and support positions. For example, Fort Mill High would lose 3.5 teaching positions, while Nation Ford High and Fort Mill Academy would each lose two positions. An elementary assistant principal position also would be cut. In the district office, the public information officer position, along with two clerk jobs, also would be eliminated. There are 47 jobs cuts proposed in all.
Other fixes include amending administrative contract days for athletic directors and high school assistant principals from 240 to 230 days, charging a $100 fee for participation in sports and band, and eliminating MAP testing. The elimination of middle school sports would save the district more than $190,000, officials said.
And then there are the furloughs.
Teachers face five furlough days while administration would have 10. That would save the district a projected $1,414,753.
"We have to live within our means," said Leanne Lordo, assistant superintendent of finance and operations.
As the list of cuts was announced, the room was mostly silent. People held their faces. Some bit their nails. Others walked out.
When the crowd thinned, a lone teacher, Cama Rice, sat in the back. "It is a very scary time."
The board approved the proposal 6-0. Board member Chantay Bouler was absent. The board will hold a public hearing in April and vote on the proposal a second time.
