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BOE reviews priorities under FY 2001 budget
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Posted on Jun 20 2000
The Public School System has conducted minor modifications to its proposed $45 million budget request for FY 2001, reassessing the number of fulltime equivalents it has acquired and released since the start of the ongoing fiscal year.
The school system is currently looking into several options, devising some alternatives in case it has to endure another year under a continuing resolution.
Acting budget officer Bill Matson said PSS is looking at the possibility of compensating employees who have worked for the system for years.
Faced with depleting resources, the school system is even contemplating on arranging such an initiative by using internal funds.
Though the system is resolved in maintaining the FY 2001 budget at $45 million, Mr. Matson said technical modifications have been done to equate and reflect on the number of FTEs PSS currently has, in preparation for the next school year.
“We have rebalanced everything. We are not changing the budget rather, we are just making adjustments,” he said.
Based on its recent assessment, it has been noted that the system has acquired additional school aides and extra school bus drivers with the arrival of three new buses.
As it stands, the Board of Education still affirms that PSS will need some $45 million to be able to operate smoothly in the next fiscal year.
The pegged amount is targeted to retain existing educational programs, student population on all 16 schools, payroll expenses, among other things.
The school system this year has been alloted an additional $5.17 million as opposed to last year’s budget.
Board members qualified this increase is significant in overseeing the schools.
Board Chair Frances H. Diaz earlier said that PSS’ maintenance budget has been very minimal, barely sufficient to support its seven-year capital improvement plans. (MM)
