Fayette County schools expect budget cuts

With less funding coming from the state because of revenue shortfalls this year, Fayette County Public Schools is preparing to adjust its FY2021 budget and make do with less.

The Board of Education discussed the possible outcomes at its May 4 work session, based on a May 1 memo to State School Superintendent Richard Woods from the legislature’s appropriations chairs asking each state agency to prepare budget drafts with a 14 percent reduction from FY2020, which ends in July. “Clearly it’s a challenge for all school districts,” said Fayette Superintendent Joseph Barrow Jr. But he said Fayette will likely fare better than other areas because the county has already cut spending about 4-5 percent from last year. However, Barrow noted that “everything is on the table at this point,” with teacher raises and tax cuts most likely not occurring and some staff positions going unfilled.

The board will discuss a spending resolution at its May 18 regular meeting.