New Bibb School Board budget preview includes assistant principals

Board members are talking about adding the nine positions back into the Fiscal Year 2016 budget.

There would be one for each elementary school and two for Southfield Elementary because their student enrollment number is so high.

In order to keep the positions, the district’s Chief Financial Officer, Ron Collier, is proposing cutting 20 contingency teachers. Those are teachers who would be hired in case more students show up than expected next school year. The latest budget preview includes 10 contingency teachers.

“We wanted to give the schools the consistency they’ve asked for,” explained Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones.

The preliminary report also recommends creating a five hour limit for school bus drivers. Collier said it will save $60,000 dollars.

Collier then explained the projected ending General Fund budget balance for FY 16 would be 6.26%. The board’s policy requires the ending fund balance to be a minimum of 8%. He suggested a waiver for the policy for the upcoming year. He believes the board will eventually get back to the 8% minimum over the years. Collier plans to present the board with a waiver resolution within the next few meetings.

The Fiscal and Support Services committee will review the proposed budget on May 21.