DPS Prepares for Serious Budget Cuts
The only smiles in the Budget Advisory Committee meetings were those before the meetings because the budget picture for DPS is extremely serious this year. In fact, Interim Superintendent Hank Hurd has worked in school administration for 34 years and he has never seen the budget situation as dire as for the coming year. That is the message that Hurd and the Financial Services staff members have to share as the budget season kicks off.
The Advisory group held two meetings in January and February and developed a list of recommendations. The committee includes a number of teachers and principals, along with parents and business representatives. That’s just one way to offer input into the budget. Principals, with input from teachers, also presented their ideas for budget-cutting.
There are estimates that DPS may be looking at as much as a $20 million reduction in state and local funds.
Along with cuts proposed by school staff members, Central Services members also are looking at cuts, with the Executive Leadership Team members proposing cuts to personnel and operating budgets.
The Superintendent’s Budget is scheduled to be presented to the Board of Education on April 29. A public hearing on the budget will be held May 6. Plans call for a special called meeting of the Board on May 13 for the Board to adopt the budget that will be presented to the County Commissioners in late May or early June.
