Board members for Springfield Public Schools heard two options for the 2010-2011 budget during a work session Monday night.
The district faces relatively flat revenues of $200.5 million in the upcoming year, which begins July 1, compared to $202.3 million in revenues in the current fiscal year, according to its Web site. Approximately $2.4 million in increased expenses, such as utility costs, legal fees and contributions to the retirement system, was considered during the budgeting process, a district news release said.
The two options presented to the board both included pay increases for employees. One included a 0.5 percent adjustment to offset larger contributions to the state retirement system, while the other included a 2 percent salary increase.
Both plans included staffing cuts of 57 full-time employees, most of which would come through attrition; a $770,000 cut in the Parents As Teachers budget; and a summer work week of four, 10-hour days that would close buildings on Fridays and save $93,138 in utility costs.
If the district were to offer the 0.5 percent salary increase to staff, staff would need to be reduced by an additional 10 full-time employees, the release said. If employees received a 2 percent raise, the district would need to eliminate 42 full-time employees in addition to the 57 core cuts. According to the press release, the board will not consider that option.
The school board has until June 30 to approve the 2010-2011 budget. A revised version will be presented at its next regular session meeting on May 25.[[In-content Ad]]
