JOYCE — The Crescent School Board will consider layoffs of both teachers and other staff members when it meets Thursday.
District officials estimate that state funding cuts will slash about $319,000 from its budget for the 2011-2012 school year.
At a special meeting earlier this month, School Board members told Superintendent Tom Anderson to come up with a “reduced education plan” plan and to present it to them at the meeting this Thursday, when the board will gather at 6 p.m. in the library at the school, 50350 state Highway 112 in Joyce.
In addition to a $319,000 reduction, district officials also expect an additional loss of $95,000, which represents the amount the district gets from a federal program, EduJobs.
The state Legislature has said that it would reduce what it gives schools by the same amount that each district receives from the federal program.
“Essentially that is a ‘pass-through,’” Anderson said, adding that he doesn’t necessarily consider that a cut but a loss of what could have been a benefit to the district.
The state Legislature, which has not reached a budget deal to close a $5 billion deficit, will begin a special session Tuesday that could extend for 30 days.
Because the state Legislature has yet to pass a combined budget, public school district numbers are guesses based on the “worst-case” scenario, Anderson said.
In most cases, that means the Senate’s budget, which included a 3 percent across-the-board cut.
Anderson said the board will look at the plan on Thursday, but that he will hold off as long as possible before laying anyone off.
The deadline for notifying teachers of layoffs is mid-May.
The Legislative delay creates “a moving target and we are trying to make all of these really difficult decisions without all the information that we could use,” Anderson said.
“We are just waiting for them to finish their business.”
He said that other cuts such as supplies and materials, capital projects, technology, athletic supplies and other items are also on the list for consideration in the reduction plan.
“For the most part, every school district is pretty much operating as much as they can in a positive way,” he said.
“We all know these cuts are coming this year and the year after that, but we are trying to make the best out of a really bad situation.
“When it comes down to it, it is still about doing what it is best for the kids.”
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
