With the continued economic downturn in the state coupled with the impact of passage of Amendment One, the District is escalating its efforts to reduce costs and save money in the face of even more state revenue cutbacks for education and Broward County Public Schools. The District has been put on notice by the Department of Education to expect even more revenue cuts within the current 2007-2008 fiscal year. State revenue cuts to the District to date are detailed below.
- $12.5 million in state revenue cuts for the District announced by the state to begin 2007-08.
- $21.7 million in new proposed revenue cuts for the District announced recently by the state in 2008. The State Legislature is to vote on this cut during the first 2 weeks of the legislative session.
- $34.2 million in total state revenue cuts for the District announced for 2007-2008.
The School Board recognized the potential impact of the economic downturn on the District’s budget early last year and tasked Superintendent Notter to develop a set of goals and immediate actions to address the budget situation. The immediate actions initiated by the Superintendent last year included placing controls on hiring, purchasing and overtime. The goals pertaining to this effort are as follows:
Budget Goals
- Maximize reductions outside of the classroom and direct instruction.
- Use attrition whenever possible in reducing the workforce.
- Maintain a laser focus on our core business of teaching and learning and the effective utilization of technology for a more effective and efficient delivery of education services to students and business services to customers and employees.
However, given the continuing downturn in the economy, the School Board recently supported even more restricted spending.
Budget Actions
- Freeze on all hiring outside of the classroom and direct instruction, except with the specific approval of the Superintendent with data supporting a mission critical need.
- Freeze on all non-essential purchases not related to teaching and learning, except with the specific approval of the Superintendent with data supporting a mission critical need.
- Freeze on all mandatory overtime, except as approved in advance by the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) or as required by contract.
- As of March 1, a freeze on all consultants, except for existing binding contractual agreements that have defined time parameters.
The District is employing a number of communications avenues to keep employees and the general public informed as we meet the challenges associated with continuing our primary teaching and learning mission during the continuing financial downturn. Below are the specific communications vehicles the District will be using to keep everyone informed and updated, as well as providing employees and the public with an easy way to ask questions and offer suggestions on potential cost-savings measures.
- CAB Conference entitled “Budget Update” that is available under District Announcements. The conference incorporates a built-in feedback mechanism for employees to ask questions or to make suggestions for saving money. Simply click on the “Budget Questions” or “Cost Savings Suggestions” and write your question or suggestion.
- District Website (www.browardschools.com) will be used to provide budget and financial updates to the public and employees.
Under the News & Headlines section, click on District Budget Status for the updates.
- The bi-weekly News & Views electronic newsletter and the published 411 Employee Newsletter will also be employed to provide budget and financial information to employees.
- BECON television will be used to provide budget and financial updates to employees and the general public.
- Video, videoconferencing, teleconferencing, Parent Link messages and Podcasts will also be employed as needed to keep groups of employees and the public informed on budget and financial matters.
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