Following Department of Education CFO Tommy Kranz’s proposal to close 2 schools, cut 105 teachers and 25 assistant principals, members of the Citizen Advisory Panel spoke out to the TFP on Saturday:
After weeks of being inundated with data about drastic cuts needed to balance next year’s budget, members of a citizen advisory panel say the proposed two school closures and 130 eliminated positions do not come close to fixing Hamilton County Schools’ budget woes. “I think the focus has completely shifted,” said panel member Kurt Faires. “At first we were going to come up with a plan, and now we’re suddenly just closing two schools. I think it’s a cop-out.”
Yesterday, the controversy continued unravelling. Mr. Kranz’s proposal for school closings and personnel cuts will only save the system $1.1 million, and at least 7 more schools could be closed next year. Members of the Advisory Panel have taken exception to Mr. Kranz’s approach to fixing the problem.
Putting off needed spending easily could increase a projected $12 million deficit to at least $16 million in 2011, officials said, which makes some committee members wonder if anything has been accomplished. “We’d be raiding reserves and deferring necessary expenses,” said Mr. Faires [advisory panel member], who argues that deferred maintenance costs push the shortfall to $40 million. “It’s a very shortsighted approach.”
The Citizen’s Advisory Panel is a 20-member subgroup of the School Board Finance Committee. Their role is to review the school system’s budget and make recommendations for school consolidations.
Aaron Collier
Robert T. Nash on Feb. 24, 2009
Maybe one of the slavish fans of the Public Education Foundation and The Benwood Inititiative who populate this sight can do a little digging to determine and report the role those two do-goodin' and tax-dodgin' extravaganzas played in creating this mess...
Crow1033 on Feb. 24, 2009
You forgot Andy Berke, RTN, don't you know, you have to blame Andy Berke now with the PEF and Benwood!