The decline in state revenues has touched every part of Georgia. There is not a community or household that has not heard or felt the effects from this period of economic uncertainty. Recent revenue figures have provided no relief and have forced Governor Sonny Perdue to adjust both FY10 mid-year budget plans and FY11 budget figures.

“The school system has suffered major cuts in funding this year. Even though the cuts are massive, at this time the Jenkins County Board of Education (BOE) is committed to securing jobs for all our employees and not going back to the citizens of Jenkins County for more tax support,” states Jenkins County School Superintendent Melissa Williams.

Massive cuts are an understatement. In late July, Governor Perdue announced a 3 percent cut in Quality Basic Education (QBE) funding to all Georgia schools and three days of furloughs for teachers. In late January, the Governor once again cut funding to all schools along with three additional days of teacher furloughs. These post-budget cuts totaled over $522,000 for Jenkins County schools.

The news for next year only gets worse. School systems have been told that allotment sheets for next year will not be available until May or June. Having only until May 15 to offer teacher contracts, the system will need to begin its budget preparations without knowing officially what the state will provide in funding. News was also made available that revenue figures for this year had decreased to the point where federal ARRA funds that the Governor had earmarked for FY11, were being moved to FY10.

“Superintendents were told as a starting point for FY11 to take each system’s mid-year allotment sheet and subtract the system’s ARRA funds and use that for next year. This results in the system experiencing just under $1 million loss in state funds for next year,” states Williams.

The BOE is exploring every option available to recoup the $1 million. One option being considered is the move to a fourday work week much like the one used this year in Peach County. Preliminary figures show that if the system moved to a four-day work week, savings of approximately $110,000 would be projected. The savings come in the form of reduced utilities, substitutes and transportation costs. The school day for students would be lengthened slightly, but the day for teachers would probably run from 7-5.

Another option being considered is the move to a 170-day school calendar for students. This calendar change would not lengthen the school day for students as the daily instructional minutes students receive would still equate to the 180-day equivalent required by law. This change in the school year would shorten the days worked by each employee in the school system by 10 days resulting in savings of approximately $450,000.

The BOE hopes to make a decision regarding the school calendar at its April meeting. Any cuts that the school system has to consider are being made with the intent to protect the quality of instructional programs offered to the students of Jenkins County. However, it will be impossible to expect the BOE to recoup the projected $1 million loss in funds without somehow impacting teaching and learning in the classrooms.

“Again, on behalf of the BOE, we ask for your continued support and encouragement as we strive to preserve our workforce and offer a quality education to our students,” said Superintendent Williams.