Town Hall Meeting Tomorrow On School Budget Cuts

Pasco County school board members are reaching out to area residents for help as they wrangle with an estimated $60 million in budget cuts.

A Town Hall Meeting is set for Thursday, April 14, at . Board chairwoman Joanne Hurley will lead the discussion. The meetings are designed to gain resident input on where the budget should be cut.

Following a recent that set a public hearing for proposed cuts to school impact fee funding, Hurley said it was important for residents to attend. During the town hall session, residents can find out more about the budget-cutting process and share their opinions on where cuts can be made.

Hurley said the district’s position is dire.

“(With) 67,000 students, every dollar counts,” Hurley said. She has described this year’s potential cuts as “.”

The district is facing cuts on the federal, state and county level this year. In light of that, are likely, district officials have said. One school board member has even broached the idea of a .

Unlike other government bodies, “we don’t have the ability to raise funds ourselves,” Hurley said. “That’s why to us, it’s crucial to get every dollar we can.”

The town hall meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at Rushe, 18654 Mentmore Blvd., in Land O' Lakes. The other board members are also holding similar meetings within their districts.

For more information, visit the district’s website at pasco.k12.fl.us.