By Jessie Burchette
jburchette@salisburypost.com
CHINA GROVE ó Rowan-Salisbury Schools face frightening cuts because of pending state budget cuts.
Superintendent Dr. Judy Grissom used the term frightening Wednesday to describe cuts that are looming and likely will cost some jobs.
Grissom told the Rowan County Board of Commissioners the system learned Friday it may have to revert $500,000 or more of this year’s allotment back to the state. That’s in addition to $800,000 already taken back.
“They have made tremendous cuts,” Grissom said.
And she fears the worst is yet to come.
Grissom said school officials expect a 5 to 7 percent cut in state funds. That equates to $5 million to $7 million for the local system.
“That’s lost jobs and unemployment for the first time. It’s frightening,” she said. “I don’t sleep at night, worrying about the cuts.”
Grissom noted state funding for the system will also be down because Rowan County schools will have fewer students ó 250 or more ó primarily because of a change in kindergarten eligibility.
Grissom didn’t make any reference to the school system’s upcoming budget requests to the county.
She urged commissioners to avoid making cuts that could cause the school system to lose $3 million it now gets as a low-wealth county.
School and county finance officials weren’t sure of the factors involved. County Finance Director Leslie Heidrick and school Finance Officer Tara Trexler said they will examine the formula and advise commissioners.
Most of Grissom’s presentation to commissioners involved test scores and the system’s overall direction.
Grissom noted the county has funded the school system at the state per-pupil average for two years, adding it has not been long enough to make a difference.
During the current budget year, the county allocated $1,565 per student.
More than a dozen top school officials and school board members attended the morning retreat session with commissioners at the Tadlock South Rowan Library.
Contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254.