Bedford schools look for cuts as budget battle looms

BEDFORD — An expected shortfall projected at $5.3 million for 2010-2011 caused Bedford County school officials to bring up the possibilities of staff reductions and school closures as they deliberated how to fill the budget hole Thursday.

The expected reduction, based on outgoing Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s proposed state budget that is not finalized, should be seen as a “best case scenario” that could possibly get worse, Superintendent Douglas Schuch said Thursday at a work session.

Schuch, who was hired last year, is set to present his first-ever proposed budget to the Bedford County School Board on Feb. 11. He sought board input Thursday in areas of staffing, salaries, facilities, retirement plans and programs that would likely be impacted.

“We’re going to have some tough choices,” Schuch said during the session.

Randy Hagler, director of finance, said the division faces a $2.6 million decrease in state money, a $2.1 million cut in federal money and a $500,000 reduction from the city of Bedford. Hagler said Bedford County’s contribution is an “unknown” at this time and the division’s loss could be down 5 to 8 percent from the current $100 million operational budget, depending on figures to come later.

The school system is also facing an estimated $1.2 million increase in the cost of benefits, said Tim Parker, director of human resources.

Board members spoke Thursday of setting size limits for classrooms in a move that could establish a total for teachers assigned to buildings.

“We’re obviously thinking of some kind of reduction in the workforce,” Schuch said.

He said 75 to 80 percent of the budget would be centered on staff. The board also talked Thursday about offering a retirement incentive for employees that Schuch said may minimize the impact of any workforce reductions.

Two school board members spoke of examining possible savings that could come from closing some elementary schools, a proposal not yet officially on the table, though Schuch didn’t dismiss it Thursday. Gary Hostutler, who represents Forest, mentioned Body Camp Elementary as a possibility while member Joy Wright mentioned Big Island Elementary School.

Several members expressed concern with the short time involved in studying the closures and with the public backlash that could arise, adding it may be an issue for the 2011-12 budget. Schuch said there would have to be a redistricting of school zones if itwere to happen and staff is tentatively expected to bring cost estimates back to the board in two weeks. He also suggested adding those possibilities to a long-range facility plan the board is currently working on.

The Bedford County Board of Supervisors is expected later this year to adopt a budget less than its current $83 million one and is asking departments to cut back requests by 5 percent, County Administrator Kathleen Guzi said in a recent interview.

“We shouldn’t be shocked if that’s asked of us,” Schuch told the school board Thursday.

Schuch also spoke of possible grade level consolidation at several of the division’s smaller schools.

“I think we should look at everything,” said David Vaden, who represents the Moneta district. “Every recommendation you have to save a penny, I think it should be on the table.”

About 100 people, mainly school employees, attended a public hearing the board held Thursday night for budget suggestions. Several representatives of the Bedford County Education Association asked that restoring salaries become a high priority.

“We realize times are hard,” said Viola Henry, a Thaxton Elementary School teacher. “However, we have been loyal ... some of us even take a second job to make ends meet.”

Dina Linkenhoker, its president, asked the board to fairly compensate employees.

“You have an awesome responsibility in making sure we are compensated for the job we do and are expected to do in the years to come,” said Cheryl Sprouse, an association member.

The board encouraged employees to attend four upcoming budget work sessions it plans to hold before submitting a budget plan to supervisors in March. It is set to hold another public hearing on Feb. 25.

“We’re going to do the best we can to try to get through this,” Hostutler said. “Certainly the economy is very difficult, tax revenues are not there ... it’s going to be difficult.”

In other business:

• Board members selected Debbie Hoback, who represents the Stewartsville district, as this year’s chairwoman. She replaces Hostutler in the role.

• After several months of review, the board approved a new policy for adding or deleting sports and extracurricular activities at any county middle or high school that requires school funding to operate.

&bull: The board approved school year calendars for the 2010-11 and 2011-12 years. Mac Duis, director of instruction, said the 2010-11 calendar places spring break before Easter while the following one places the break after the holiday. Board members also approved a 2010-11 High School program of studies that has an expectation that seniors take five classes unless special permission is granted by the principal.