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Hillsborough School Leaders Expect Deeper Budget Cuts

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By ADAM EMERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 25, 2008

TAMPA - By mid-December, Hillsborough County school leaders will have to cut from their budget $26 million that they already planned to lose.

But if Florida's governor and Legislature don't come up with more money for education and other services, the school district may have to cut an additional $28.9 million – and it didn't plan on that.

Revenue estimates for the state, however, are worse than anticipated. Economists predicted last week that Florida's tax collections would fall by $1.4 billion, a downturn that only exacerbates a current $1.8 billion shortfall.

With an economic outlook so grim, Hillsborough school leaders will have to scour for coins in the cushions. They already have frozen some hiring and cut other jobs through attrition. They have cut travel, supplies and bus routes but warned school board members today that they will have to search for more reductions as the economy continues to sour.

"Can it get worse?" asked Carol Kurdell, the school board's chairwoman.

"Yes," said MaryEllen Elia, the district's superintendent.

Elia said she is committed to keeping classrooms unharmed by cuts and offered a glimpse into her savings plans, which she continues to work on. They include:

Reining in most extensions offered to employees eligible for the Deferred Retirement Option Program. Extensions allow workers to begin collecting retirement while remaining on the district's payroll. Elia said she will allow extensions only to critically needed employees whose work likely couldn't be replaced in the short term. Total savings: about $4.5 million.

Closing all district and school buildings one day a week in the summer for a total of seven days. Total savings: about $1.5 million.

Reporter Adam Emerson can be reached at (813) 259-8285 or aemerson@tampatrib.com.

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