Cuts in Rock Hill schools seen as inevitable | Rock Hill Herald

Even if Rock Hill schools receive some $7 million in federal economic stimulus money, cuts are coming, Superintendent Lynn Moody told school board members Monday evening.

Moody rattled off a list of cuts she expects to appear in the budget for next school year. Her list was lengthy, but vague.

 At one point, Moody said: "We will be looking at (cutting) some programs in their entirety."

She quickly declined to give details about which programs.

 

According to Moody, budget slashing will likely include:

• Cutting at least 20 to 25 positions. That's with stimulus money. Without it, lay-offs could be worse.
• Teachers will be forced to take at least two days of unpaid leave. Administrators will take four.
• The $3,000 annual bonus given to teachers who earn National Board certification will be cut by $1,000.
• School budgets will be trimmed, meaning each campus will have fewer dollars to spend on supplies, programs, equipment, field trips and extras.
• Schools will have to cut back on hiring substitute teachers when staff teachers are absent. Staff teachers will have to cover for each other.
• The district's Applied Technology Center will lose $60,000 intended to buy equipment. The money could save a full-time position.
• The number of middle school athletic competitions will shrink.
• Security at high school events will be reduced.

The Rock Hill school board must approve next school year's budget before any of these cuts can take effect.

The Herald will continue to seek details about these proposed cuts, looking into what they mean and how they affect the community.