Fayette schools to cut jobs, salaries

The cash-strapped Fayette County school system is expected to eliminate 157 jobs and slash all employee salaries, perhaps by nearly 4 percent as part of cost-cutting measures discussed during Monday night’s school board meeting.

State law requires public hearings to be held on the matter before the board decides on any final course of action. Those hearings will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday evening and again on Thursday at Sams Auditorium.

The drastic measures are likely in one form or another in the wake of an anticipated $14 million budget deficit.

School officials grappling with how to make ends meet are expected to support the recommendation of superintendent John DeCotis to forego the opening of the new Rivers Elementary School. The measure would save the system nearly $8 million with the elimination of more than 100 jobs.

“None of us want to do any of the things that have been discussed,” DeCotis wrote school employees in a memo earlier this month, “but there is no choice right now.”

Across-the-board pay cuts to all employees, including board members, could be as high as 3.85 percent, depending on whichever of three plans the board ultimately chooses. Under the terms of the deepest pay cut, the county would continue to pay almost all of its current contributions to employee benefit plans. The two other plans call for smaller cuts in salary, but would provide less school contribution to employee benefits plans and make employees come out-of-pocket and contribute more for their benefits, according to information posted on the school board Website.

Schools spokeswoman Melinda Berry-Dreisbach did not return calls seeking comment Tuesday afternoon.

Fayette County school officials have said their cash reserves are “dangerously low” at roughly $2 million.

“It is going to be a challenge,” DeCotis said, “but I promise we will do our best to maintain our excellent programs for our children during these difficult times.”