Lynchburg schools chief: No easy answer to budget situation

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.

Lynchburg education officials are faced with trimming about $6 million from their budget of more than $80 million. McKendrick explained to parents there’s no silver bullet.

“There’s not going to be an answer to satisfy everyone,” he said, before giving parents an overview of the budget.

Following his presentation, parents peppered McKendrick with a variety of questions for nearly an hour, many of which were about possible cuts already discussed by the school board. McKendrick emphasized several times all ideas were just proposals — nothing has been decided.

Several parents inquired about feedback on pay cuts versus layoffs. The school board has discussed pay cuts; 3 percent for classified staff, 4 percent for teachers and 5 percent for administrators. McKendrick said the response from staffers has been mixed.

“I don’t know which one is better,” he said.

McKendrick repeatedly said he does not want to let people go, but layoffs are necessary. He also mentioned staffers have been given an e-mail address where they have been encouraged to send suggestions or opinions. The information will then be compiled and shared with board members.

Furloughs were also brought up. McKendrick said the division is looking at unpaid furloughs on professional development or teacher workdays. Instead of working on those days, teachers would stay home without pay.

Whatever happens, he told parents, change is coming. The school division is going to have to start doing things differently.

“It’s going to have to be a culture shift for us,” he said.

The group assembled at Linkhorne was a combination of parents from the Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Committee and officers from school PTOs and PTAs. They were invited via mailed letter last week. One parent even questioned the use of postage during tough economic times, suggesting e-mail could have been used.

“The only thing I can tell you is we will get to this type of thing,” McKendrick said.

Parents also expressed support for the division and asked how they could help. McKendrick said speak up — make suggestions, contact legislators, contact City Council members.

“We need you to be vocal, and respectful,” he said, asking for parents to show their support.

The hardships faculty and staff will endure are difficult, so show compassion, he said. McKendrick asked parents to support teachers, even if it’s as simple as telling educators how much they mean.

“It’s going to be tough for everyone and morale is something we’re going to have to deal with,” he said.

Several central office administrators and school board members were also in attendance at the meeting, which took place in Linkhorne’s library.

Notification of the meeting was sent by news release only hours before its start at 7 p.m. McKendrick said he notified the media when he learned several board members would be in attendance.