The Johnston County Schools system is bracing itself against the possibility of layoffs for the upcoming school year. Superintendent Dr. Ed Croom says there could be as many as 113 teaching positions cut, while schools will be adding an additional 700 students.

Croom said it would be like “gaining a school of students and cutting two schools’ worth of teachers.”

Croom brought the proposed local budget before the Board of Education at their April 13 meeting. The 113 positions come from a $6.7 million loss of state money. The state is also struggling, coming up $35 million short in revenue from where they projected being. Croom said next year at this same time, the state would be a whopping $1 billion short due to the loss of stimulus funds.

“The economy is really having an effect on public education and will continue to have one as we go through the next fiscal year,” said Croom

The school system relies most heavily on the state for its yearly budget, with 70 percent of the year’s funds coming from state government.

“[The] numbers of cuts will not be finalized until the county and state have finalized their budgets,” said Terri Sessoms, public information officer for the school system.

The budget for the current school year saw $56.2 million coming from the local government. This year, the school system is asking for $57.1 million. A great portion of the additional nearly $900,000 is going towards the two new high schools opening in the fall. Cleveland High and Corinth-Holders High schools are opening to 9th and 10th graders in August, leading to the need for additional staff, supplies and more. Utilities alone for the two new schools will increase the school system’s utilities budget by $600,000 a year.

The school system also relies on the local budget for the majority of its extracurricular programs.

While the school system cut positions this year, there were no layoffs because enough employees retired.

The Board is expected to vote on the proposed budget next month before submitting it to the county Board of Commissioners for approval.

“Students are still coming, growth is still occurring here in the county, and when you have these type of budget downfalls, it really takes a toll,” said Croom.



BUDGET CALENDAR

The School Budget and Fiscal Control Act prescribe this budget calendar.

May 1 The Superintendent must submit the budget request along with a copy of the budget message to the Board of Education not later than May 1.

May 15 The Board of Education should make changes, if necessary, to the budget request as submitted by the Superintendent and forward an approved budget request to the Board of County Commissioners not later than May 15, unless the County Commissioners have established a later date.

July 1 The Board of County Commissioners must complete its action on the school budget not later than July 1, unless a later date is agreed upon between the Board of Education and County Commissioners.

July - October 15 The Board of Education must adopt its balanced budget resolution after the Board of County Commissioners has decided upon the amount of appropriations to be provided by the county or after the appeal procedures are set forth.