SUFFOLK -- "You certainly can't make any commitments until you get firm numbers from both the state and from the locality," says Milton Liverman, Ed.D., "but we're moving in the right direction and pretty excited about it."
The Suffolk Public Schools superintendent doesn't believe the school division's deficit will be as great as thought just a week ago, when estimates hovered around the $9 million mark. Liverman thinks combined funding losses from Virginia and Suffolk could top out closer to $4 million.
The biggest factor is the funding debate that continues in the General Assembly. Liverman thinks lawmakers in the House of Delegates and Senate actually are listening to people throughout the Commonwealth, trying to minimize shortfalls in education funding. The significant difference which may come to Suffolk Public Schools should translate into less significant cuts.
"At this point, there's some things you'd like to think are off the table," says Liverman, "some of the things that generated a lot of emotional response."
No guarantees at this point, the list of things that could go untouched or spared huge cuts includes the Arts and the division's Early Start program for four-year-olds.
There's a chance Bowser, Mount Zion, and Robertson Elementary Schools will not close as originally thought.
"I never speak for a board until they've actually voted," Liverman tells 13News, "but the clear message that I got from them last week was make that the last thing that's used in the budget balancing process."
Liverman says the school division is retraining the way it thinks about using resources, trying to eliminate waste whether it involves paper, electricity, or other items/utilities. The superintendent explains the division may have cuts at the administration level and to alternative education. A large number of retirees should help avoid layoffs.
"What happens in the classroom, that's the number one priority," says Liverman. "That's the number one priority of our school board. It's the number one priority of staff."
Once Suffolk Public Schools knows how much money it will get from Virginia, it will nail down a budget it can take to Suffolk City Council.
Parents and students will have an opportunity to share their thoughts about the budget with the school board Tuesday, March 16, at King's Fork High School. The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium.
