CC schools exploring bus route revamp to address shortfall

Charles City County school officials must whittle another $183,000 off next year’s anticipated expense line in order to balance expected revenue in the next fiscal year’s budget. And to do so, a two-tier bus schedule plus pay cuts for bus drivers, teacher aides, and cafeteria workers are up front for consideration.

Heading into last Thursday’s budget work session, county School Board members knew they faced closing a $575,000 gap between their $12 million 2010-11 budget passed last month and an estimated revenue figure of just under $11.5 million.

Superintendent Janet Crawley reported that most of the difference has been erased by lower than expected retirement contributions and insurance rates, leaving the $183,000 figure.

“My first recommendation is two-tier transportation routes and not combining K-12 routes,” Crawley told the board. “To me, that would do the least damage. It won’t close the $183,000 gap, but it’ll come close.”

A two-tier system would mean less bus drivers and fewer buses on the road. The school system currently employs 22 drivers. Anywhere from four to seven positions would be eliminated, Crawley said.

A two-tier system would probably mean an earlier school day start for middle and high school students arriving on a first bus run. Buses would then make a second run to pick up elementary school students. The day would then end earlier for the older students.

School Board members are also leaning toward a 1 percent pay cut for bus drivers, teacher aides, cafeteria workers, and other employees exempted from pay reductions approved last month. Not all, however, favor the move.

“The problem I have with that is they don’t get paid anything anyway,” board member Henry Hollimon said.

Already in the budget is a 2 percent pay cut for teachers and support staff earning more than $20,000 and a 3 percent cut for administrators, coordinators, and directors earning above $60,000. Also approved is eliminating a middle school assistant principal post along with middle school athletics coaches, high school choir and forensics sponsors, two teacher aides, and a special education instructor.

As another gap closing measure, board members instructed Crawley and her staff to seek other means for tweaking budget line items. There has been no further mention of eliminating high school athletics, but the option has not been completely removed from the table.

Crawley, meanwhile, advised board members to refrain from amending next year’s budget until the county’s Board of Supervisors has approved a final overall county budget. Supervisors have scheduled an April 19 public hearing on the county’s proposed $21 million budget. Supervisors are expected to take final action during their April 27 meeting.