DOWNLOADS BELOW: school board presentation and bell schedule changes.
By KAREN CIMINO WILSON
DavidsonNews.net
The planned closing of schools such as Davidson IB Middle was just the beginning of the budget-cutting for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for next school year. The district now says it must cut $100 million, and it plans to do so in part with more than 1,500 layoffs and bus and bell schedule changes.
The district plans to shift operating hours at many schools to accommodate changes in busing schedules that also are designed to save money. Davidson Elementary School would shift to an 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. schedule, instead of the current 9:15 to 3:30. Bailey Middle would shift to a 9:15 a.m. opening and 4:15 closing, from the current 8:45-3:45. High school hours would not change.
Superintendent Peter Gorman presented his proposed cuts Tuesday to Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board members and citizens who ventured out in the snow and ice for the meeting.
“We thought it was important to proceed with our meeting (Tuesday) despite the inclement weather for a number of reasons the most important of which is to ensure we share with our fellow citizens the information about our financial situation and the decisions that loom before us as soon as we can,” School Board Chairman Eric Davis said.
Mr. Davis said the school board wants to have as much time as possible for discussion about the difficult decisions before voting on proposals.
Mr. Gorman’s proposal includes eliminating 1,516 positions district-wide, including 107 teaching jobs. The district will begin holding employee meetings this week to keep employees informed about the budget process. The first meeting will be at North Mecklenburg High School Thursday at 6 p.m.
Since last spring, school board members have held a series of meetings looking at ways to cut the operating budget because of an anticipated reduction in state and federal funding for the 2011-12 school year.
Months of tense discussion led to the decision that will shut Davidson IB and many other schools’ doors next school year. The Davidson IB program, however, continues at J.M. Alexander Middle School. Davidson IB school officials have already begun working Alexander to prepare for the change. A new principal for the combined school is expected to be announced this month.
The total savings from closing schools will be $5.2 million. But Gorman said another $94.8 million must be cut.
Overall, Gorman proposed cutting $61.4 million from the schools division and eliminating 1,045 positions; cutting $21.1 million from the central support and operations division and eliminating 206 positions; and cutting $8.7 million from the academic services division and laying off 102 workers.
The proposed reductions include reducing the teaching staff by 107 teachers for a total savings of $6.3 million; increasing class size by two students for every fourth through 12th grade class in the district, saving $15 million; eliminating teaching assistants at the first and second grade levels, saving $9.3 million; and cutting one support position at every school, saving about $11 million.
On of the largest instructional cuts proposed would be to the Bright Beginnings Pre-Kindergarten Program, reducing the number of classes from 175 to 70 throughout the district, saving about $10.4 million. Programs are located at 18 schools throughout the district including Long Creek Elementary in Huntersville.
UNC Charlotte Professor Rich Lambert spoke during the public comments portion of the meeting, saying he oppposes shrinking the early childhood education program.
“You are faced with making the best of bad choices,” Mr. Lambert said. “CMS is widely known as a national leader in early childhood education. I travel around the nation and speak about early childhood education.”
He said national data show that early childhood education is vital to success in school and later in life.
“There are some things that are very clear from the national data,” Mr. Lambert said. “First of all, young children living in poverty do not grow up with the same cognitive stimulation as other children. That is indisputable. Secondly, more brain development occurs in the early years than in any other time in the lifespan. And third, early education can help overcome the limitations of growing up in poverty. And similarly, a lack of early education can mean the curses of poverty remain with the child through their life.”
The proposed cuts for the 2011-12 school year represent the fifth consecutive year that Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has cut its operating budget. Over the last four years, the district has reduced the budget by $185 million.
DOCUMENTS AND RELATED LINKS
Proposed bell schedule changes (PDF).
CMS 2011-12 budget presentation from Tuesday’s meeting (PDF).
See DavidsonNews.net‘s previous coverage of Davidson IB Middle School, including plans to close the school and move the program next year, CLICK HERE>
