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Is school budget increase enough?

An expected surge in student enrollment means the district still will consider laying off some nonclassroom employees.

Pasco County managed to dodge the worst of the expected budget shortfalls, but it probably won't be enough to prevent some of the district's 7,000 employees from losing their jobs.

The state's $52-billion budget finalized by the Legislature on Tuesday contains $22-million more than last year for Pasco schools, a total of more than $300-million. That's an increase of 7.77 percent.

But school district officials insist that number represents a shortfall of about $13-million in light of Pasco enrollment growth expected to top 2,000 students.

"It think we'll probably be looking at layoffs of some people. But it will be across the board, " said school district chief finance officer Chuck Rushe on Tuesday.

In this case, "across the board" needs to be defined: The influx of new students means classroom teachers - more than 3,000 strong - won't be on the chopping block.

Bearing the brunt of any layoffs would be "nonclassroom" teachers - such as guidance counselors - and support personnel such as cafeteria workers, secretaries and custodians.

Several weeks ago, when Pasco's budget shortfall was estimated at $16.8-million, Rushe released a worst-case scenario that projected layoffs of 291 nonclassroom teachers or 598 support employees.

On Tuesday, he was unwilling to venture a guess about job losses until he could study the final budget.

"We don't have the details yet," Rushe said.

But Rushe pointed out that the $22-million increase for Pasco in the state's 2003-2004 budget, which goes into effect July 1, wasn't as generous as it seemed.

Nearly half - about $10-million - is Pasco's share of money voters agreed to spend on reducing class size.

Another $9-million is not state money. It's the school district's higher property tax haul from climbing assessments, and thousands of new homes and businesses.

In opposing the class size amendment before last year's referendum, Gov. Jeb Bush warned it would be a budget buster. It's proving to be true.

Money that would pay for general school expenses has been funneled into reducing class sizes, Rushe said. Fortunately for Pasco, it's close to meeting its class size goal for next year.

"I don't think anyone who voted for the class size amendment thought it would be paid for with cuts in other education," Rushe said.