Frequently Asked Questions About Pasco Schools Budget Cuts: Part I

When the Pasco County School Board meets tomorrow night at 6, one of the it will face is how to close a funding gap that tops $54 million.

The district has been wrestling with the issue for months and is now on a course that includes to make its budget balance. To help residents understand the issues the district faces, officials have put together a frequently asked questions document.

Here are some of the questions that the district has issued official statements on:

What is the actual operating budget?

The District’s operating budget is $469 million.

What happened to the money from the Seminole Indians casinos?  Wasn’t it supposed to go just to education?

The state used these funds to support state level education funding. Even with these funds, the state is still proposing additional cuts to education spending.

How much money would we save by moving to a four-day school week?

Initial estimates calculated in 2008-2009, regarding a four-day school week indicate that it would generate approximately $3.2 million in annual savings. Approximately $2.4 million of the total savings is generated from the elimination of 35 days of pay for bus drivers, with $508,000 in fuel savings and $315,000 in utility savings. This option would also impact the hours of Food and Nutritional Services (FNS) employees; however, since they are a self-supporting entity (receiving no general funds), there would be no savings to the General Operating Fund from a reduction in their hours.   Under this proposal, FNS employees and bus drivers would lose 1/5 (20 percent) of their salaries.

Can we save any money in school lunches and/or breakfasts?

Our Food and Nutrition Services Department receives federal funding to provide mandatory food service programs. The department is self-supporting, meaning that cuts to their budget do not result in savings to the General Operating Fund.

Can we close charter schools and use those funds to support the operation of traditional public schools?

No. Florida Statute outlines very stringent guidelines/rationales for the closure or denial of future charter schools. If a charter school is meeting the requirements of statute, it cannot be denied or shut down by a school district.

Can we transfer capital money to operating?

No. Capital funds cannot be transferred to pay for operating expenditures without the express consent of the Legislature. The Legislature has NOT given us the flexibility to move these funds. They did expand the allowable capital expenses to include property insurance payments under certain conditions. This is the only flexibility in this area that we have received to date.

Can we have Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate students pay for participation?

No. The Florida Constitution requires students to have access to a high quality free and appropriate public education. Additionally, Florida Statute does not allow us to charge students to participate in A.P. or I.B. courses. To offset the costs of these accelerated programs, the District receives weighted funding if students score a 3 or higher on the AP exam and a 4 or higher on the IB exam.

Can we eliminate transportation services?

Florida Statute requires us to provide transportation to students who live more than two miles from their school or who meet the state’s definition of a hazardous walking condition. The Board is currently reviewing students who live within the two-mile radius who are receiving a “courtesy” bus ride. The District spends approximately $300,000 on these rides. Each case must be reviewed individually to ensure that student safety is not negatively impacted. By law, transportation service must be provided for free and in a certified school bus.

Check back with Patch tomorrow for Part II. To find out more about the budget crisis, visit the district's website at Pasco.K12.fl.us.