Teacher Cuts in Tuscaloosa?
by Nicole Wyatt
CBS 42 News
2008-05-21 14:38:17.0
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The lack of an education budget has left many school systems statewide in a pickle.
"We're really disappointed that we don't have a budget right now and what we're looking to do is we're looking to make reductions in our budget in preparation and anticipation that there's going to be an overall budget cut," says Lesley Bruinton with the Tuscaloosa City Schools. She says the system hopes to avoid cutting personnel.
Meanwhile, the Tuscaloosa County School System is keeping it tight. "Everybody has been overly conservative in understanding what is going to be available for them in ‘08-’09," says Tuscaloosa County Schools’ John Merrill.
The Tuscaloosa County School System says thanks to a prior warning from the state Superintendent that an education budget may not pass, they were able to make a plan of action so pink slips wouldn't go out.
"We will not have to cut any employees other than the ones that were already going to be non-renewed because of their performance or lack thereof, or those that were already prepared to have to find another position because they were only hired for one year contracts," adds Merrill. He also notes that around 50 teachers have already resigned, retired, or transferred to other school systems, providing more space in their budget.
Governor Riley plans to call a special session soon for lawmakers to reconsider the state education budget.
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