Under the gun with budget cuts and uncertain how much money will be available from the state, South Pike school officials have approved using federal stimulus funds to pay 11 elementary school teacher assistants and two non-certified employees who help teach English and math at the high school.
But that’s only to keep them employed through the end of this school year.
“We’ve trimmed the budget … and it’s pretty much down to bare bones,” Superintendent Dr. Bill Gunnell told trustees on Thursday.
Because budget talks — and continued cuts — are ongoing in the Mississippi Legislature, Gunnell said South Pike and all other public school districts are uncertain about the funds they’ll receive from the state.
Of the state’s “rainy day fund,” which the Legislature appears to be tapping into to help ease fiscal strains, Gunnell quipped, “It’s raining outside right now.”
Gunnell said it looks like the district will lose between $400,000 and $500,000 between now and the end of the fiscal year. That’s on top of cuts already made.
“We’ve done a lot already to minimize,” Gunnell said, adding that salaries and contracts for teachers are “out there and already signed.”
The move to use stimulus funds to cover the gap for assistant teachers and the English and math tutors at the high school “keeps everybody employed.”
Gunnell said the district may be looking at larger class sizes if budget cuts continue.
“It will be slimmer, but right now, we’re not letting anybody go,” he said.
Next year, Gunnell said, the stimulus dollars won’t be there to fall back on.
Unfortunately, some funds, such as those used for construction projects, can’t be spent on salaries and other school needs.
But even some of the projects the district had hoped to begin are being shelved.
Work on the new junior high school continues, as does the air conditioning project at the Willie E. Jones Coliseum.
Architect Steve Cox gave trustees a progress report on ongoing work for the new junior high building plan and the coliseum project. He noted that contractors have been able to make headway on the building project despite the rainy weather. Cox is hopeful the building will be ready in the fall, possibly by the start of the new year.
However, a $2.9 million project for roofing, window replacement and air conditioning work on campuses at Osyka Elementary, the high school, junior high and Eva Gordon and Magnolia Elementary schools is on hold.
In other matters, the board:
• Recommended for re-employment principals throughout the district, including Dalton Williams at Osyka, Blake Brewer at Magnolia, Connie McNabb at Eva Gordon, Joe Leavy at the junior high, Warren Banks at the high school and Michael Evans at the career and technical center.
• Noted the retirement of Osyka teachers Alfreda Cook and Annette Byrd and gifted program teacher Kay Williams.
• Got a look at the first draft of the 2010-’11 school year, which is set to bring students to school on Aug. 4.
Trustee Dr. Luke Lampton renewed his objection to starting school during the hot August days. He also was concerned about the district’s planned week off for Thanksgiving. He said that vacation, followed by the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, adds up to too much time away from classrooms.
Gunnell said the district won’t have a full fall break as has been done in the past. And he said student attendance takes a dive during short weeks, where students have classes two or three days only.
• Granted permission for chief financial officer Kathy Albritton to file for E-rate funding, which allows the district to pay only 10 percent for phone and computer purchases.
South Pike qualifies for a 90 percent discount because of the low-income bracket the majority of students are in.
