Norfolk Public Schools Superintendent Richard Bentley delivered a set of preliminary 2011-12 operating budget recommendations and alternatives to the School Board on Wednesday night, February 16.
The recommendations include $15.8 million in reductions made by a collaborative team Dr. Bentley convened to help create a spending plan in the face of a projected 2011-12 operating budget gap of nearly $22 million. The collaborative team, called the Budget Resource Allocation Team, also has provided the School Board with three alternatives for other reductions that would close the entire gap.
In directing the team’s work beginning last fall, Dr. Bentley said, "Remember that we’ve got to focus on students, teachers and schools."
The team did that by assessing how close every NPS program came to the division’s core instructional mission.
The recommendations call for a Reduction in Force of 161 to 206 staff positions, depending upon the alternatives the School Board chooses.
The recommendations preserve class sizes, and specialty academic programs at the high schools.
As alternatives, the budget team and Dr. Bentley are asking the School Board to consider the ramifications of closing two schools, which would allow the division to use facilities efficiently and result in an estimated cost savings of $800,000 per school next year.
The Board did not discuss the recommendations and options on Wednesday night. They now will have a week to review the materials before hearing a formal presentation and discussing the recommendations and options next Wednesday, February 23.
The task for Dr. Bentley and the budget team was exceptionally difficult because this the second year in a row Norfolk Public Schools has been hit with large reductions in state funding for PreK-12 education, along with expected increases in costs such as Virginia Retirement System contributions and health insurance premiums for employees.
For the current fiscal year, operating budget expenses were reduced by nearly $30 million, and 387 positions were eliminated. Almost all of the people affected were offered different positions, which was possible due to attrition.
The City of Norfolk so far has committed to level funding of $104.5 million for next fiscal year.
As part of the budget team’s collaborative process, department leaders were asked to meet with their teams to gain input on reductions. The budget team looked closely at the shrinking number of positions funded under the state Standards of Quality (SOQ).
Also, all NPS programs were evaluated on a four-tiered scale, based on how closely aligned they are with core instructional requirements. Those inside the core, or tier 1, are required to meet federal, state and local laws or division policies and regulations. Those in tier 2 support the requirements and the division’s Achievable Results. Those in tier 3 support the requirements and achievable results, but may duplicate services. Those in tier 4 are not required and, if eliminated, would not diminish progress toward the Achievable Results.
Salaries and benefits make up approximately 85 percent of the school division’s operating budget, so it was impossible to close the budget gap without eliminating staff positions. Positions will be reduced in accordance with Norfolk Public Schools’ Reduction in Force policy. It is expected that, like last year, many of those affected by staff cuts may be able to move into other positions created by attrition, depending upon their qualifications.
The School Board is scheduled for work sessions to discuss the budget on March 2 and March 8.
In the coming weeks, there will be opportunities for concerned members of the staff and public to weigh in, particularly via a School Board public hearing on March 8 at 7 p.m. at Lake Taylor High School. The Superintendent and School Board also will welcome comments throughout the budget process via www.npsk12.com/feedback. Members of the public also are invited to stay up to date on the budget development by visiting the NPS Budget Information Web site. Click here.The School Board must approve a final 2011-12 Operating Budget in time to deliver it to the City Council by April 1.
2.16.2011 Detailed Program Descriptions
2.16.2011 Preliminary FY12 Superintendent's Proposed Operating Expenditures
2.16.2011 Stipend Review
