A list of possible major budget reductions has been released by Newton County School Superintendent Dr. Gary Mathews. Here's a summary.
SUMMARY OF POSSIBLE MAJOR BUDGET REDUCTIONS 1. Change high school scheduling to a seven period day to include remediation/enrichment for students. Savings = $2,820,000 2. Contract with Ombudsman to provide a new—and potentially more educationally effective—delivery model for alternative education in NCSS. Savings = $1,941,962 3. Implement a three-tier student transportation system. Savings = $1,477,441 4. Eliminate 70 six-hour per day regular education instructional paraprofessional positions at the elementary schools. Savings = $1,127,000 5. Reorganize and reduce maintenance and custodial staffs. Savings = $954,000 6. Reduce the school year by one day for students and reduce employee work days (non-school days) by one additional day. Savings = $950,000 7. Change to one of the following school schedules: Option A. Four day school week (156 school days) Savings = $820,000 OR Option B. 158 School days and the day would be lengthened by approximately 42 minutes for elementary and 52 minutes for secondary Savings = $750,000 OR Option C. 169 School days and the day would be lengthened by approximately 20 minutes for elementary and 28 minutes for secondary Savings = $375,000 Note: Each option above has negative salary implications for custodians, bus drivers, and food service workers, but none for other groups of employees. 8. Eliminate 28 eight-hour per day regular education instructional paraprofessional positions at the elementary schools. Savings = $582,400 9. Reduce the 1% Board contribution to the 403b retirement plan for Teachers Retirement System employees to .5% Savings = $422,000 10. Eliminate two Assistant Principal positions. Savings = $215,000 11. Reduce the number of school resource officers (security) from 18 to 14. Savings = $171,428 12. Require a 10% cut in all Central Office budgets. Savings = $160,000 13. Combine Newton College and Career Academy CEO and Director of Career, Technical, and Agriculture Education (CTAE) positions. Savings = $65,000 Check back at CovNews.com later for more on this story.
