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Schools await final verdict on anticipated budget cuts
By LOGAN D. MABE
© St. Petersburg Times, With the Hillsborough County school district facing certain budget cuts, school officials across north Tampa are getting ready for some serious belt-tightening. "We're all on our toes about the money," said Essrig Elementary principal Debra Veranth. Like schools across the county, Essrig is under a hiring freeze and all staff travel outside the county has been suspended. "I lost a kindergarten teacher in September, but I hired another like two days before they put the freeze on," Veranth said. "We had some teachers that were planning to go to the Florida Education Technology conference and that's been put on hold. But when we're looking at educating children, those are things we can give up." At Davidsen Middle School in Westchase, principal Becky Kaskeski said her school has yet to feel the impact of preliminary cuts. "We're just cruising along," Kaskeski said. "Being a new school, we were able to get a lot of new things last year, so we are probably better off than some schools. We're sitting pretty right now, but things may be different next year." Schools superintendent Earl Lennard is considering a laundry list of proposed budget reductions in response to an anticipated $36.4-million shortfall from the state because of the reeling economy. The Legislature takes up the issue Monday in a special session to trim the state budget. Locally, some potential programs on the chopping block include: Ending summer school. Eliminating extended learning remediation programs. Reducing the summer work week from five to four days. Cutting pay for administrators and teachers. Trimming days off the school year. But for school administrators on the front lines, any cuts are sure to be deeply felt. "We don't have any fat around the bone at this point," said Claywell Elementary principal Glenda Midilli, who hopes the extended learning program is preserved. "We've learned over the years how to get by." The district has already committed to building a 12-classroom wing onto Claywell and that project is not in danger, Midilli said. Similarly, at Buchanan Middle School in Lake Magdalene, principal Dwight Raines is preparing for an even bigger construction project. The school is getting a near-total, $9-million renovation and half of the student body will be housed in 60 portables while the work is done. "Right now, we're in good shape," Raines said. "But who knows what will happen in the future? We're waiting to hear what the final verdict is going to be." Until that verdict comes, most principals are crossing their fingers and hoping for the best. "We don't have any vacancies, so we're sitting well right now," said Sandy Bunking, principal of Town 'n Country's Alonso High School. "I just hope everybody stays healthy." -- Logan D. Mabe can be reached at 813-226-3464 or at mabe@sptimes.com.
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