Additional $2.2 Million in Budget Cuts Approved for GCS

Board of Education continues to work toward finalizing the 2009-10 budget

Contact: Laurie Hogan (336) 370-8307
Created: 7/27/2009 4:52:53 PM

The Guilford County Board of Education approved Thursday additional cuts to the 2009-10 budget totaling about $2.2 million. Guilford County Schools (GCS) continues to assess its budget while awaiting the approval of a state budget by the General Assembly.

During Thursday’s meeting, the board approved to make the budget cuts by amending five programs and services. Changes will be made to Home Field Advantage, the employee dental insurance benefit, supplies and materials for athletics, bus stops for some middle and high school students and standby bus driver positions. For complete information, click the link at the bottom of this article.

Since some of these programs have implications for the start of school on Aug. 25, GCS is currently working to put the changes into place. The district will be communicating with the parents and guardians of impacted students, employees and schools within the next two weeks.

The board also voted to remove two items from consideration for cuts. A further consolidation of bus stops affecting elementary students and the Smith High International Baccalaureate program will not be considered for budget cuts in the 2009-10 school year.

At past board meetings, district staff members have recommended a total of approximately $36.8 million in cuts and redirections divided into three tiers. Tier 1, about $12.6 million, consists of the cuts and redirections included in the superintendent’s proposed budget and the board’s request to the Guilford County Board of Commissioners in May. Tier 2 totals approximately $12.9 million and Tier 3 totals approximately $11.3 million. The items in the second and third tiers are being considered by the board now as the state budget outlook becomes clearer. The five cuts approved Thursday are in Tier 2.

Other Tier 2 and 3 items were recommended for a board vote due to the time sensitive nature of the decisions, but the board took no action. A vote was not taken on the terms of employment for lead bus drivers, the extended year programs at Brooks Global Studies and Johnson Street Global Studies, or the implementation of a three-tier bus schedule.

For more information, click on the link below.

http://www.gcsnc.com/pdfs/BudgetChangesApproved.pdf

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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.