Possible state education funding cuts of 14% a result of the COVID-19 outbreak may mean a $32 million shortfall and likely operational, programmatic and personnel cost reductions in the Cherokee County School District, district officials said.

The district is committed to a balanced budget that minimizes impacts on students’ learning and employee compensation, and keeps the property tax rate steady with no increases, District Superintendent Brian Hightower said at a recent board meeting.

Division chiefs were asked to reduce their respective FY 2020-21 budgets by at least 5%. To view the cuts: https://bit.ly/2A6a9qM

“With these cuts and other budget adjustments, along with $3.7 million in federal CARES Act funds allotted in response to the pandemic and continued improvements in local property values, the anticipated budget gap would shrink to $8.2 million before furlough days,” the district said.

A budget will likely be delayed until June or July because of the Legislature's delay passing its own budget. Information: https://bit.ly/bdbriefs0520

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