GCS Takes Steps to Address Budget Issues

Contact: Haley Miller (336) 370-3200
Created: 12/10/2008 11:18:16 AM

Guilford County Schools (GCS) officials are working on a plan that would reduce the district’s budget by nearly $4 million.

The budget adjustment is a result of a state order to all public school districts and charter schools in the state. On November 17, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) informed all public school districts and charter schools that they would be required to return $58 million, or 0.75 percent of their allotted state funds, due to a drop in anticipated revenues for the state government. This adjustment amounts to $2.8 million for GCS.

In addition, the district is 619 students below state enrollment projections. Initially, the district reported that it would have to give back approximately $2 million as a result. However, after updated student daily enrollments were finalized by NCDPI, the state informed the district that it would only be required to return $958,000. That amount represents half of the 619-student enrollment difference. The $958,000 figure combined with the $2.8 million reversion adds up to approximately $3.8 million in adjustments.

To address this budget adjustment, the district has taken several steps, including instituting a hiring freeze for non-instructional positions. Exceptions will be made on rare occasions only with the permission of the following administrators: the Chief of Staff, the Chief Administrative Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Academic Officer. The district is also eliminating overtime beginning January 1, 2009 and replacing it with compensatory time, curtailing travel and delaying certain contracted services.

The district’s staff is also working on other proposed cuts.

The Guilford County Board of Education will hold a work session to address the budget reduction plan on December 17. The board will vote on the plan at its regular meeting on Thursday, December 18.

“We recognize that this is a difficult situation,” said Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green. “But we are confident that by working together, we can and will get through this. As always, our top priority will remain providing a world-class education to all of our students.”

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About Guilford County Schools

Guilford County Schools is the third largest school district in North Carolina serving more than 71,000 students at 120 schools. With approximately 10,000 employees, the district’s mission is to graduate responsible citizens prepared to succeed in higher education or the career of their choice. 

Guilford County Schools is a national leader in providing specialized schools and instructional programs designed to meet the educational needs of a culturally diverse citizenship.  For more information, visit the district’s Web site at www.gcsnc.com.