Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Doucette said Friday he does not believe the city school system’s $440,000 deficit constitutes a crime and he will not open an investigation into the matter.

Lynchburg City Schools will hold its annual February job fair Saturday despite a gloomy economic outlook, a hiring freeze and more than 80 positions on the chopping block.
“I think the overall reaction has been one of ‘why are you doing this,’” said Fred Stanbery, director of personnel.

Fluctuating figures kept Lynchburg School Board from approving a budget Tuesday, and deciding the fate of more than 80 positions that could have been eliminated under a previously discussed proposal.

Lynchburg City School Board likely will approve the division’s 2009-2010 budget today, which could include the elimination of more than 80 positions.

The Lynchburg School Board may eliminate more than 80 positions next year, including 31 teaching jobs and 18 teacher assistants.

The cuts were recommended by Superintendent Paul McKendrick at a meeting earlier this week as part of a multi-pronged plan to close a projected shortfall of $5 million.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Doucette offered only brief comment Wednesday on the ongoing school deficit controversy, but did not signal he had any plans to intervene.

More than two dozen people spoke at a Lynchburg City Schools budget public hearing Wednesday where they presented ideas, survey results, poignant stories and a plea — be careful cutting positions and salaries.

Following the meeting, Doyle said all the information presented to the board Tuesday would be sent to city leadership. She said the line-by-line budget provides the complete story on the $440,000 deficit, which was discovered in December after the completion of an annual city audit. Division officials were unaware of the mistake until the audit report was released.

Lynchburg City School Board members are scheduled to take up more budget talks tonight and approve the creation of a finance committee.

About 30 parents gathered at Linkhorne Middle School on Thursday night for an informal meeting with Superintendent Paul McKendrick to discuss next year’s budget.

It appears Lynchburg City Schools officials will get a chance to solve their budget woes on their own.

During a nearly three-hour meeting with City Council, school officials provided a detailed account of what led to an unexpected $440,000 deficit in the last fiscal year and the aggressive steps being taken to prevent any future shortfall.

Lynchburg City Council appears divided over how to respond to the school system’s recently uncovered deficit.

Lynchburg City School Board mulled possible cuts to programs and staff Tuesday as it confronted a possible $6 million budget shortfall.

Lynchburg City School Board will begin to tackle next year’s budget at a meeting today.