The Culpeper County School Board expects to reduce next year’s spending by $4.2 million, according to a draft of its fiscal year 2011 operating budget.
The board plans to finalize the financial plan tonight at 7 in the county administration building, 302 N. Main St.
The draft budget eliminates 59 positions overall including 28 teachers, 13 substitutes and reductions in administration, transportation, maintenance and technology staff. The school division has more than 1,000 employees and 7,471 students as of January.
CCPS operates on $72.6 million for fiscal year 2010. Next year’s projected budget will amount to about $68,4 million, depending on state figures.
School Board Chairman George Dasher repeatedly explains during meetings the tough position school officials face as they try to balance next year’s budget without solid figures from the state.
House and Senate negotiators continued to hammer out the state budget on Sunday. Final figures were expected late Sunday.
“Although the state budget is not final, we are getting new information that is favorable to us in slightly higher revenues,” Dasher said via e-mail on Sunday. “The staff will watch the news through the weekend and will have updates for us at the meeting Monday night.”
The good news for parents and students is the Middle School Sports Task Force was able to save sports activities by suggesting that the school division charge $90 in fees for middle school sports and raise high school sports fees from $60 to $100, up $40 from this year.
In another cost-saving effort to protect jobs, the school board voted last week to approve the voluntary incentive retirement program where employees age 50 plus with at least three years of service at CCPS and 10 years overall would be able to retire and take advantage of a cash incentive bonus.
So far, between 25 and 30 employees have taken the school board up on its offer, saving about $60,000 if the positions were refilled with less experienced employees.
Another option for CCPS is leaving positions unfilled in order to save more money.
On Wednesday, the school board will officially present its budget to the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors, the governing body that appropriates county funding.
Want to go?
What: Culpeper County School Board budget meeting
Where: County administration building, 302 N. Main St.
When: Tonight at 7
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