BEDFORD — Two weeks after approving the layoffs of 19 employees because of budget cuts, the Bedford County School Board voted Thursday to restore two positions.
The recall came after two employees turned in resignations, according to school officials. Retirements and attrition allowed the board to avoid cutting the majority of more than 60 employees in its new $98.8 million budget that starts July 1. However, Superintendent Douglas Schuch has said a workforce reduction is “unavoidable.”
The vote restored a high school English teacher and an elementary school teacher’s position.
The board’s vote two weeks ago reduced the workforce by 10 first-year teachers and three second-year teachers, among other cuts. The division has a recall policy in place to rehire employees if further vacancies occur, spokesman Ryan Edwards said.
Prior to the adoption of a new state budget in March that restored more money to the division than expected, Schuch had originally proposed more than 100 layoffs.
The 2010-2011 operational budget, which starts July 1, is about $6 million less than the current year and Schuch has said an additional $4 million shortfall is expected heading into the following year’s budget, possibly leading to a higher funding request from the Bedford County Board of Supervisors.
Randy Hagler, the division’s chief financial officer, issued a third quarter financial report for the current 2009-10 budget to board members Thursday. He said if projections come to fruition, the division could have a positive operating balance of nearly $85,000 when the fiscal year ends June 30.
“I’ll monitor that over the next few months,” Hagler said.
Board member Gary Hostutler said three maintenance projects that were put on hold during recent budget talks should move forward. They include adding security cameras at the county’s three high schools, roof repair at Boonsboro Elementary School and fixing heating, ventilating and air conditioning problems at New London Academy.
Hostutler said enough money is in the upcoming year’s maintenance fund to pursue the projects and have about $1 million left over for other projects and emergency situations.
The division has received a low bid of $225,000 to install security cameras at the high schools, Hagler said. Board members agreed to further discuss the projects in May and consider taking action.
Also Thursday, the board agreed to hold work sessions on June 24, Aug. 12, Sept. 23 and Nov. 11. All meetings are at 4 p.m. at the school board building at 310 South Bridge St. in Bedford.
Topics are likely to include strategic planning, facilities and next year’s budget concerns.
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