Budget Cuts Looming for Bibb School District, Jobs Could Be in Jeopardy

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The acting superintendent of the Bibb County School District expects millions of dollars will have to be cut from the upcoming budget, and jobs could be on the line.

Susanne Griffin-Ziebart made that announcement Monday night at a called board meeting.

The board voted to meet every Thursday through mid-June to work together on exactly where those cuts will come from.

Since nearly 90% of the budget goes toward staff and benefits, that means cuts in those areas are highly likely.

“Whether it’s classroom staff or staff that supports them in the lunchroom or the staff that supports them by driving them to school every day, our staff is really our greatest resource,” says Griffin-Ziebart.  “I think that’s the issue we have to address, is to balance that very real challenge of making sure we balance our budget while also recognizing that we want to maintain quality staff in front of our kids to ensure learning occurs.”

Griffin-Ziebart mentioned a rise in the cost of health care as one reason why cuts must be made.  When asked if any actions in the past might have put the school district in a financial bind, she declined to answer, saying she wanted to keep the focus on the district’s future.

Adoption of the budget is set for June 13, and it has to be submitted to the state by June 30.

Interim Superintendent Search

Also Monday night, acting board president Susan Sipe told us five people have applied for the interim superintendent position.

The deadline to apply for that position is Friday.  Sipe says after the deadline, the Georgia School Boards Association will send those names to her, and they’ll be discussed at the Bibb board’s next meeting.

Officer Elections

The board voted 5-3 Monday night to table electing officers. 

Board member Dr. Wanda West motioned to postpone the elections, saying the board should first focus on setting its policies and procedures.

On the first vote, the board was split 4-4, but board member Lester Miller asked for a re-vote and voted in favor of tabling the elections, making the final vote 5-3.