Schools watch funds

By JUSTIN HARMON/Staff

Gov. Tim Kaine said K-12 education is safe, at least for now.
Kaine has said schools may see cuts in the 2009-2010 year, according to School Superintendent Dr. Alan Lee. Lee said some wonder if cuts might not come earlier.
Whatever comes, though, Lee said he and his school system will face it.
“We’ll find a way to do what we need to do,” he said.
Since even before the school year started, Lee and his administrative staff have been keeping close tabs on all expenditures and taking action against wasting money. More efficient bus routes were designed. A no idle policy to save on fuel was instituted. They make sure the lights are off in empty rooms.
Now, Lee said, they’ve put a stop to spending on capital items (supplies that generally last longer than a year, such as computers, furniture and vehicles) and only spend on the things they need. As a matter of fact, Lee said the school system is only using 85 percent of its total budget on supplies.
This isn’t greed pinching pennies. It’s way for Lee to hold on to what he calls the school system’s greatest asset – its people.
“Good people make good schools,” he said. “I don’t want to lose any of my people.”
According to Lee, he would rather cut back even further on spending than resort to layoffs. A few administrative positions open in the school system. They won’t be filled until absolutely necessary.
“I have stated publicly that I will direct that we buy nothing beyond paper and soap for the bathrooms if that’s what it takes to protect our employees, which ultimately is the best for our students’ education,” he said in a press release.
Unfortunately Lee and the school system are “working in the dark.” As officials compile a budget plan, they don’t know how much state money will be coming in until the legislature either a agrees with Kaine’s spending plan or adopts one of its own.
“We could get reduced this year,” he said.
Lee said everyone is anxiously awaiting the results.
The budget needs to be turned into the School Board by the second week of February.
“We’ll do what we need to do to provide,” he said.
Justin Harmon can be reached at 628-7101 or