Will Our Kids Be in School Next Week...

....Or, what does the Board of Education's action tonight mean?

The Board accepted the $2.2 million from the County Commission -- even though this essentially means $2.2 million in capital projects will go unfunded, the Board has accepted the Commission's offer and this reduces the amount the Board needs to have a fully-funded budget.

The Board then also made some changes to budget assumptions.  And, the Board made some cuts -- including the hiring of 8 new guidance counselors, the entire adult education program, and some cuts to Central Office staff.

With those cuts in place, the Board needs $2.7 million from the County Commission -- down from $7.6 million they were asking for on Monday.

This seems to be a long way toward compromise. 

So, can school start next week?

YES!  But, the County Commission would have to call an emergency meeting for Monday night.  If so, the School Board could meet either later Monday or, more realistically, Tuesday.  School could be back by Thursday.  Possibly Wednesday if certain logistics can be worked out.

But, what if the County Commission doesn't call a special meeting for Monday?  Then, we're back at the stalemate.  No budget for schools means schools don't open. 

And, what if the County Commission meets but doesn't fund the budget?

Dr. Phillips passed out a paper with funding cuts that would impact each school.  Essentially, he'd distribute the $2.7 million in cuts to every school in the district, with principals having the final say on what gets cut at their school.  For almost every school, at least one teacher would have to be let go.  In some schools, it could be a teacher and some support staff.  In some, multiple teachers would be laid off.

The County Commission can avoid all of this and our kids could be back in school by Thursday.  But only IF they meet on Monday and pass the Board's budget.