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Local Schools to Feel Economic Pinch

Proposed budget means possible staff reductions

By J. Scott Truax
Citizen Journalist

Like many organizations around the country, Garner’s public schools are feeling ill at ease as they enter budget season.

Vance Elementary School teacher Angela Murphy reads Dr. Seuss’ “Yertle the Turtle” to her kindergarten class on Thursday, March 26. Facing a county and statewide budget shortfall, Vance Elementary might have to terminate teachers with less than full-time contracts in June. Photo by Jay Gross.

In a press release on the Wake County Public School System’s Web site Tuesday, March 3, Superintendent Del Burns describes next year’s operating budget as, “No growth, no inflation, no improvements, nothing.”

Much of the concern stems from the approximately $2 billion shortfall the state expects to face next year.

“This is…the highest level of financial uncertainty I have experienced, not just as a school administrator but in my lifetime,” Burns said.

In North Carolina, three-fourths of public school budgets come from the state and one-fourth comes from the county.

‘Terminating contracts’

One item in the budget getting attention lately is the provision of “terminating contracts” for certain positions. These positions are being considered more discretionary by WCPSS than permanent positions.

Burns indicated that the lack of funds could cause some schools to drop these staff when their contracts end in June. There are 1,496 “terminating contracts” systemwide, Burns said.

Garner administrators say no specific guidelines have been issued yet, however, for how these contracts will be handled.

Don Rose, principal of Vance Elementary School, said about 13 percent of employees at his school have terminating contracts.

According to Rose, these positions are held by some first-year teachers, beginning teaching assistants and employees with less than a full-time contract.

“We are very concerned.  You have quality employees that align with your philosophy, and to lose them is pretty significant,” Rose said.

Being proactive

For Cathy Williams, principal of East Garner Magnet Middle School, the prospect of staff cutbacks is new.

“This is the first time ever we have had to do this for people on terminating contracts – to say there is a possibility you may not come back next year,” she said.

Area schools are awaiting further clarity of their budgeting constraints. “We’re trying to be pro-active,” Rose said.

Because Vance is a year-round school, Rose says they have less time to adjust.

“What makes us a little more vulnerable is that traditional students enter the third week of August, whereas our year-round school students will be entering the second week of July.”  He added, “The more definite info by budget support, the better we can plan.”

In Garner, other year-round schools – East Garner Elementary, Timber Drive Elementary, Rand Road Elementary and North Garner Middle – could be similarly affected.

In the meantime, area schools are concentrating on finishing the current school year well.

“It’s really important to stay focused on the kids, finishing the year well, positively, even though proceeding cautiously for the coming year,” Williams said.

Related articles:

• WCPSS welcomes local churches
• Wake County schools face budget cuts, new challenges
• WCPSS proposes stark cuts to avoid layoffs

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