Amherst County Public Schools would eliminate some positions regardless of what version of three proposed state budgets are adopted, the superintendent told the school board Thursday night, in proposals that would eliminate significantly fewer positions than what has been proposed in other counties.
The numbers are not final, because no final decisions have been made by the General Assembly.
But anticipating that cuts would be needed, Superintendent Brian Ratliff proposed what he termed level one cuts and level two cuts, depending on how much less money the school system receives from the state. At least some of the level two cuts probably will be needed, he told board members.
Pledging to move forward with “integrity, clarity and fairness,” and thanking colleagues throughout the school system for professionalism that often was touching, Ratliff also said the reductions are “at such a point that it’s going to hurt children.”
“We are concerned that each of the versions is unfair,” he said, referring to three budget proposals by Gov. Bob McDonnell, the Virginia Senate and the House of Delegates.
He added, “There’s no one really to blame.”
Proposed level one reductions include cutting a school resource officer and not filling other positions, and reducing construction and textbook funds, among other things.
Proposed level two reductions include administrative positions such as an instructional supervisor and math resource specialists; 10 instructional positions; and more than two dozen support positions, such as 14 instructional assistants and eight part-time secretaries.
If Gov. Bob McDonnell’s proposed budget is approved, then the level one cuts must equal $2.2 million and level two cuts must equal an additional $1.4 million.
If the Senate’s proposed budget is approved, then level one cuts must equal $3.4 million and level two cuts must equal an additional $1.4 million.
If the House of Delegates’ budget is approved, then level one cuts must equal $3.6 million and level two cuts must equal $1.4 million.
Ratliff previously had warned board members that the projected deficit would be at least $3.1 million to $3.5 million. But he consistently contended that trying to form a budget without firm decisions by the General Assembly would be like shooting in the dark.
“We don’t like to alarm people,” school board Chairman Jones Stanley told the public Thursday night, but also acknowledged the budget situation was a “dilemma” and praised Ratliff’s proposals, particularly when no firm figures from the state are available.
This fiscal year’s operating budget was $49,820,169, and 80 percent of it pays for the people who work in the system, from janitors to administrators —- and classroom teachers. Projected revenue by the end of the 2011 could be as low as $44,201,957.
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