Some Stafford County School Board members want more specifics of Superintendent David Sawyer's plan to reduce the division's budget by $15.07 million.
Others think administrators should handle the nitty-gritty details.
During a budget work session yesterday, Sawyer said he's doing his best to make sure students' education isn't harmed. The board hopes to approve the spending plan next Tuesday.
"The overall principle is, protect the schools first," Sawyer said. The School Board was in agreement with most of Sawyer's proposed cuts.
The Board of Supervisors has approved a $767,500 increase in local money for schools for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The School Board had asked for a $15.4 million increase.
The 2009-2010 budget won't be any easier, Sawyer said.
School Board members John LeDoux and Patricia Healy asked for more information about $2.9 million in cuts to travel, purchased services and supplies. Administrators don't yet know exactly what would be removed from those budget line items.
"These lines were chosen because that's where the money is," Sawyer said. About 85 percent of the school system's budget pays for salaries and benefits.
At one point, Healy, who is the board's chairwoman, began going through a list of new positions that aren't on the chopping block, which includes an ESL coordinator.
Member Nanette Kidby said she's wary of taking a piecemeal approach to the budget, and said it's not the School Board's job to get into specifics. Member Robert Belman agreed.
Sawyer also warned the board about getting too involved.
"Surely, this board does not want to decide by a majority vote how much money we want to spend on copiers next year," he said. "If you do, you will be here until the Fourth of July."
LeDoux said he's not trying to micromanage, but wants a general idea of how reductions would impact purchased services--which includes consultants and repairs--and other budget line items. Healy requested information on possible impacts to the classroom.
"It won't have any impact on school-site allocations," said Patty Sullivan, director of budget and grants. That doesn't include money for teachers to attend conferences, which Healy considers an impact on the classroom.
The School Board didn't talk much about Sawyer's suggestion to eliminate a 2.5 percent cost-of-living raise worth $4.7 million. Only returning teachers not at the top of the pay scale would receive a 2.5 percent "step increase" guaranteed in their contracts, based on that proposal.
"I strongly object to this one and would like to find money somewhere else" to pay for cost-of-living raises, member Patricia Mancini said.
Sawyer yesterday recommended adding a 2.5 percent raise for the 179 employees whose salaries would stay the same without a cost-of-living raise. He called it a stipend, and said it would not be carried over to the 2010 fiscal year.
Jeff Branscome: 540/374-5402
Email: jbranscome@freelancestar.com
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$4.7 million for a 2.5 percent cost-of-living pay increase. $3.4 million for a post-employment benefits trust. $1.44 million for 15 percent of "purchased services," including consultants, repairs and maintenance, and custodial contracts. $1.44 million for 18 buses to replace old ones. $1.21 million for four position enhancements, including a bonus system for new teachers. $970,860 for 9 percent of expenses for supplies and materials. That doesn't include money for fuel and supplies for schools. $1.33 million for unfilled positions and savings when retired employees are replaced with employees with less experience. $526,966 for 25 percent of travel and conference expenses. $231,207 for two part-time central office secretaries, a transportation trainer, and a full-time and part-time senior systems analyst.
$103,000 for two new pickup trucks and a riding lawnmower. $58,500 to phase in GPS systems for buses.
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