More Cutbacks Ahead For Schools?

Alabama Mobile Alabama Education Board member concerned proration could be coming next week.

by Steve Alexander

Published: Thu, December 11, 2008 - 10:38 pm CST Last Updated: Thu, December 11, 2008 - 10:55 pm CST

It looks as if Alabama schools will be hit with proration, meaning across the board cuts.
A state school board member from Baldwin County said it could happen soon.
Alabama State Education Board Member Randy McKinney met with State Education Superintendent Joe Morton Thursday and said, "I think most people believe that we will have it (proration)."
Its up to Governor Bob Riley to order proration and set the percentage for cuts, but McKinney said he thinks Riley will make the determination Friday.
McKinney said teachers can't be cut this school year because they're under contract through May.
But he's afraid some school systems will cut valuable programs.
McKinney said, "The Reading Initiative has been catching Alabama up, and I'd certainly hate to see that area cut. We have the Alabama Math-Science Technology Initiative, which is outstanding."
Baldwin County Superintendent Dr. Faron Hollinger said he's been preparing for proration for months, but his goal is to preserve, not cut, jobs.
One possibility, Dr. Hollinger said, is "freezing step increases that we as a school system provide. The state doesn't provide them. We believe we have the latitude to do that if we so choose."
If the governor declares proration, the passage of Amendment One will make up to $435 Million available from a rainy day account.
But that would only be for one year.
Because of that money, acting Saraland School Superintendent Bill Silver said he's optimistic proration won't happen.
Silver said, "We've started putting the pencil to it and we really believe we can absorb it (cutbacks) without affecting any employees."
School officials in Mobile County said they've been making preparations for proration, too, but they're waiting to see just how how big a percentage of cuts Governor Riley will call for.

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