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Officials Sidestep Layoffs In School Savings Plan

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By RONNIE BLAIR

rblair@tampatrib.com

Published: December 18, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - Pasco County School District officials say they have figured out ways to cover the current $8.7 million budget shortfall and much of the $10 million to $15 million shortfall the district could face after the Legislature's special session in January.

Superintendent Heather Fiorentino told the school board at a Tuesday workshop that avoiding layoffs has been a priority.

"We have been able to do that," she said.

Two board members expressed concern, though, that the district isn't preparing for a worst-case scenario. The Legislature plans to meet in a special session Jan. 5-16 to deal with a statewide revenue shortage and school districts have been told to expect additional budget cuts of about 2 to 3 percent.

For Pasco, that translates to about $10 million to $15 million. Fiorentino and Olga Swinson, the district's chief finance officer, presented the school board cost-cutting recommendations Tuesday that total about $8 million to help defray some of the cuts the Legislature might make in January.

Fiorentino and Swinson said all department budgets will be reviewed in early January to find additional areas to cut. Swinson said as a last resort, the district might consider dipping into reserve funds.

Board members Allen Altman and Joanne Hurley, though, said they would have liked to see a list of recommended cuts that totaled at least $15 million. That way, Altman said, the district would be better prepared if the worst happens with the Legislature. If the number comes in lower, he said, the board simply wouldn't make the cuts at the bottom of the list.
Altman said he feared the district could end up scrambling if the cuts in January reach $15 million and the board doesn't have a clear plan. He also was worried because one of the staff's suggestions - saving $4.2 million by using capital funds to pay for property insurance - would require Department of Education approval.

"I'm extremely concerned we are going to be behind the eight-ball," Altman said.

Fiorentino and Swinson said they expect to have more specific recommendations for the board in January. The board has another budget workshop Jan. 20.
Swinson also said that, although the special session will end Jan. 16, the school board will still have to wait for the Department of Education to figure out Pasco's share of any cuts.

"I don't think you are going to know the exact amount until the end of January," she said.

Meanwhile, the board members appeared more satisfied with the plan for dealing with the district's current shortfall, which was nearly $8.7 million as of Nov. 11.
Swinson presented a list of recommendations that cover the entire amount.

"Every single line of the budget got looked at again the last couple of weeks," Swinson said.

A hiring freeze and a drop in fuel prices are among the many ways the district is saving money.

Spring sports won't be eliminated, as some people had feared, but the district does plan to save money by using a portion of the participation fees to help with the cost of football, baseball and softball. Those fees traditionally pay for insurance.

Reporter Ronnie Blair can be reached at (813) 948-4218.

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