Pittsylvania County schools start process to balance budget

CHATHAM — Pittsylvania County schools face a $4.5 million budget shortfall and the school division’s superintendent has requested the budget committee to come up with possible ways to cut costs by its next meeting Jan. 28.

The committee met in Chatham on Thursday night, where Pittsylvania County Schools Superintendent James McDaniel reminded everyone of Pittsylvania County Schools’ accomplishments over the years despite fiscal challenges — 100 percent of its schools fully accredited, the entire school division meeting Annual Yearly Progress benchmarks four times out of the last six years, 82 percent of high-school graduates continuing postsecondary education, half of graduates receiving advanced diplomas and a 43 percent drop in the suspension rate since 2002, among other accomplishments.

However, school officials will not be able to make reductions on budget items that were cut to meet last year’s $3.1 million shortfall, McDaniel said.

“We can’t look back at those areas this year to help balance this budget,” McDaniel said.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has proposed a $56.2 million budget for Pittsylvania County Schools in 2010-11, which is a $4.3 million reduction in state revenues compared to last year.

McDaniel asked the committee to come up with “potentials,” or possible ideas to save costs. McDaniel emphasized the word so members of the public would know that whatever is proposed will be considered but not a certainty.

However, Committee Member Charles Miller said job cuts will have to be considered to save money.

“It’s highly unlikely we’ll be able to escape (a) reduction in force,” Miller said.

McDaniel said the committee will have to look at creative ways to balance the budget without eliminating positions.

Board Chairman Neal Oakes said he will push to avoid layoffs.

“I do not want to see teachers laid off in Pittsylvania County,” Oakes said.

McDaniel said school officials will go to the Board of Supervisors during its meeting next week to request use of about $6 million in funds leftover from the $70 million high school renovation bond voters passed in 2007. In addition, the school division faces the possibility of losing 38 of its 1,529 employees through attrition. However, elimination of all of those positions will not happen, McDaniel said, because some of those positions are critical, he said.