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School District finances tightening web posted February 25, 2009 JOHNSTON - It's no secret that South Carolina school district's are facing enormous financial challenges. Edgefield County has been no exception to that rule. Severe budget cuts - this year to the tune of $1,300,000 (and counting) - have taken their toll on the district's finances. The district (like many others) was hoping for better news from Columbia in January. What Edgefield received along with the rest was more of the same - news of more budget cuts. The first cuts came in August, and were followed by additional cuts in November. This latest budget cut for the district was to the tune of $852,000. "The budget was finalized before we found out about any of the cuts," said District Superintendent Dr. Mary Rice-Crenshaw. 'At that time we met with the (district) leadership team and we knew that we had to get some input from all of the schools and the staff and take things from there." From those meetings and many others, the district began to make cuts of its own - in supplies, travel expenses, in vacant position which were not refilled and reduced maintenance. Teachers were asked to miss as few days as possible to keep down the cost for substitute teachers. District staff members have even filled in in some classrooms when substitutes were necessary. Employees were also given days of furlough dependent upon how many days they work per year, though no instructional employees were furloughed. Board members also took a cut in pay. With the changes - and the implementation of valuable fund balance reserves (Chief Financial Officer Teresa Clark says the district has put into play half of the district's fund balance reserve) - the district "ship" has managed to maintain its course and heading with no reduction in teachers. But with all cuts listed as "permanent" and more cuts possibly on the horizon, that will change. A reduction in staff - including teachers - will have to take place next year. "The first thing we are looking at is the staffing of our schools," Dr. Rice-Crenshaw said. "Most of the (Elementary) classes are operating with around a 17-to-1 student to teacher ratio, which is below the district standard we have set (of 21-to-1). There will be staff reductions. We're still running the numbers, but it will not just be teachers but across all staff members and even the district level. Also, travel and supplies will be cut again next year." Ms. Clark said even more cuts could come down before the end of the school year. "We're at the mercy of the state right now," she said. "There is the possibility of another cut this year. It's anybody's guess at this point. Right now there is no indication as to when that ball might land." Dr. Rice-Crenshaw said the district - like everyone else - will work through these tough times. "We definitely want to thank the community for all of its support, as well as all of our staff," she said. "All of the teachers and the principals have been wonderful. We want to say thank you to the board because they took a reduction as well, and our financial department which has been very creative in making sure that we stay in line. It's been a roller-coaster ride, but we are going to make it." The Citizen News contributed to this report. © Copyright 2009
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