ROANOKE CO. - Starting off the budget work session Wednesday night, Superintendent Dr. Lorraine Lange didn't sugar coat the budget situation. "In last year's budget we shielded the teachers in the classroom, but that will be impossible to do this year. Teachers, staff and students will feel the struggles of our reductions."
Assistant Superintendent of Finance Penny Hodge followed up with more details about cuts.
A little over $9 million under the House plan and about $7 million under the senate version, which is the most favorable.
Both put the board in a tough position. You are forced to have to look at areas you haven't before or haven't wanted to, said Hodge.
Like the laptop program at high schools.
The board wants to limit it to 11th and 12th graders only, and re-evaluate next year.
But, Chairman Michael Stovall says everything is on the table. "We have lost some battles, but we are going to win this war."
There is the chance that the school district could get money to help make up the budget gap from the county government. If the senate version passes which is more favorable the revenue sharing formula indicates we should get $3.4 million...that's what I would hope," said Hodge.
There's no way to know for sure how much it will help until Richmond finalizes a plan. Hodge had this to say about the board's difficult journey ahead..."it's the most difficult budget we've ever had to do....never had to find this magnitude of money for a single budget."
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