Florida Education Commissioner Eric Smith warned school superintendents Wednesday of the possibility of a 16-percent budget cut that would affect the 2009-2010 school year.
The news stunned some leaders who had been preparing for a 5 percent cut.
The bleak picture is considered to be the “worst-case scenario,” said Bill Montford, CEO of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents.
He said three main factors determine if 16-percent cuts will be felt. One would be whether economic projections for the state turn out to be less severe than the $5.5 billion that’s now on the radar. Another factor is an increase in revenue from local property taxes or state taxes.
The federal stimulus package is the other factor. Florida, which does not qualify for money based on the current federal requirements for funding to public education, may get a waiver that would allow the state to receive federal money.
“My advice to the superintendents has been to expect a significant reduction in the revenue,” Montford said. When asked if he believed a double-digit cut is possible for the 2009-2010 school year, he said, “I think it could be.”
Tom Butler, spokesman for the Florida Department of Education, said Smith wanted superintendents to know what they could be facing during the 15-minute conference call.
“That is extremely preliminary,” Butler said.
Rep. Marti Coley, a Marianna Republican and vice-chairwoman of the Education and Policy Council for the House, said she felt Smith’s approach is a “wise” one. She’s optimistic about the federal relief, but she feels school districts should be just as proactive.
“If they prepare for the very worse and it’s not that bad, then they’ll be able to handle any shortfall,” Coley said.
Gadsden County Superintendent Reginald James said 16 percent is a hard number to face.
“The number is so large that I can’t honestly comprehend how it could happen,” James said.
Source: tallahassee.com
