We are all being directly impacted by the state of our economy, and I am sensitive to the financial stresses many of you are experiencing.
Duval County Public Schools is also facing a severe reduction in revenue from the State. When the budget was prepared for the current year, it was anticipated that a two percent reduction might occur, but now because of further loss in revenue this shortfall is being projected to be between 4 and 8 percent. The state revenue projections for our 2009/2010 budget leave us with a shortfall that could be as much as $135 million.
As a school district, we must be fiscally responsible and have a balanced budget. We cannot absorb this amount, especially with the class size reduction amendment limiting how many students can be placed in a classroom. Years ago, during tough financial times, we would have been able to add a few students to each class to cut costs. We do not expect to have the opportunity to do this based on the constitutional amendment limiting class sizes.
It is our priority to ensure that we have as minimal an impact on the classroom as possible, but it is unrealistic to think students will not be affected in some way. Potential budget reduction strategies include, but are not limited to, the following: closing schools and changing boundaries; changing middle and high school schedules; limiting transportation, particularly for magnet programs; and increasing the walk zone to schools from 1.5 miles to 2. Essentially, anything other than our teachers and classrooms will come under scrutiny for possible cuts.
We are in the process of compiling a prioritized list of potential cuts, and will be distributing this information to our schools, staff and School Board, as well as the community. We need your help to engage our governor and legislature to minimize the cuts to public education as much as possible.
Student achievement remains our highest priority, and we will continue to do everything we can to save revenue, while keeping our focus on the classroom, but we need your help. With our district operating on a minimized budget, your continued support will be more valuable than ever.
Thank you for all that you do.
