FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Broward school board officials held a public meeting to discuss ongoing concerns over the district’s budget as schools struggle to keep enrollment numbers up.
During Tuesday afternoon’s meeting, officials had a brief presentation centered around predictions on the district’s financial future. Afterwards, officials opened discussion with members of the public.
“When you look at these numbers in the projected fund balance analysis in the presentation, it should scare the heck out of you. If it doesn’t, maybe you need to get your eyes checked,” said school board member Adam Cervera.
Officials said it’s not a secret they’ve struggled to maintain the current budget, due in large part to a big drop in enrollment numbers.
“Definitely not a surprise that enrollment has declined in Broward County Public Schools and also large school districts across the nation,” said Broward superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn.
Officials said those declining numbers have played a significant factor in the district receiving less funding. They also predict for enrollment to continue its downward trend leaving them with a substantial deficit.
“We have a current funding shortfall of about $80 million and we expect an additional budget shortfall of almost $90 million next year,” said Hepburn.
Some argued the district does have an effective plan to monitor the budgetary challenges and address them.
“I just want everyone to understand that there is a plan and I’ll end with, I think our employees do an amazing job here. We would not be an ‘A’ without the teachers, without the bus drivers, the food service, maintenance, all of that. None of this is ever about the value of the job the people are doing at the district,” said Broward Schools Commissioner Debra Hixon.
Others disagreed, raising concerns over tough decisions that have already been made for the budget.
“We have not yet seen any plans on what you’re actually going to do or how you’re going to cut. We’ve heard that you’ve got a projection of cutting many, many employees of Broward County schools, we haven’t seen a plan of where you’re gonna cut these expenditures and are you guys gonna ask about it, are you gonna demand it, are we gonna continue to build the plane as we fly it?” said a Anna Fusco, the president of Broward Teachers’ Union. “Can you please come up with something that shows we’re fighting?”
“My concern, Mr. Superintendent, is that we’re not being aggressive enough. We wanna kick the can down the road and try to come up with an idea here, an idea there on how to fix this,” said Cervera.
Officials said they’re already implementing some changes that should help stabilize their current circumstances, including a district-wide hiring freeze and reducing staffing.
“Our goal is to reduce personnel by approximately 1,000 positions. That’s through attrition first and then followed by targeted layoffs and also some null renewals of administrative-level personnel within our district,” said Hepburn.
Fusco said these budgetary issues have plagued the district for several years without plans to address it and remains concerned as to the impacts any current solutions will have.
“I don’t wanna see anybody lose their job but I would think that they know that they’ve had this problem for 11 years and we still don’t know what they’re really gonna do. I’m curious,” said Fusco.
The board approved a decision to shutter six schools after a lengthy meeting in January.
Hepburn, who proposed the plan, said at the time that the cost-cutting move would shift students out of schools that experienced sharp declines in enrollment.
Officials also held discussions on proposals for additional sources of revenue for the district, renting out some space at their headquarters, though nothing was decided on.
“We remain committed to high-quality instruction, safety, transparency and also responsible budgeting as we move forward with the difficult challenges that are right here in front of us,” said Hepburn.
The school board is expected to reconvene for further budget discussions in a couple of weeks.
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