Springfield Public Schools cuts more from budget

The Springfield Public Schools board of education approved its 2010-11 budget during its June meeting Tuesday, marking the third consecutive year for reductions.

While the board was able to allocate a $201,124,000 budget, more than $5.1 million had to be trimmed due to declining state revenues and an increase in necessary expenditures, including approximately $2.4 million needed to cover retirement, utility costs, legal fees and facility maintenance.

To cover the deficit, the school system had to cut 57 full time equivalent staff members via attrition, and it had to minimize costs on the Parents As Teachers program, fuel and utility costs, and purchased items, according to a Springfield Public Schools news release.

Over the last three years, more than $15 million has been cut from the budget, according to the release.[[In-content Ad]]