Teacher Layoffs a 'Last Resort,' GCPS Says

warned Thursday that "programs and services" are at risk in the next budget year, as it expects an estimated $89 million revenue shortfall.

The state's largest school system (162,000 students) said Thursday in a website posting that the system is committed to, among other things, "continuing to avoid layoffs to the extent possible."

"The district has reached the point where it can no longer do more with less funding without affecting programs and services," the GCPS said. "The cost-saving measures implemented in the past will not be enough to balance future budgets. Additional cost-saving measures will have to be implemented in the FY 2013 budget ... measures that may be more painful to implement as they will more directly affect what takes place in the classroom."

Superintendent Alvin Wilbanks, speaking after the monthly board meeting Thursday in Suwanee, said layoffs of teachers would be an "absolute last resort."

Also, the release said GCPS is committed to "doing everything possible to
protect instructional time."

Wilbanks explained that the state funds 84 percent of the current 180-day school calendar, or roughly 157 days. The $89 million shortfall projection is assuming that state funding stays at current levels

The system's release, posted on the GCPS website, said GCPS anticipates:

•  Minimum budget deficit facing GCPS: $89 million (assuming state funding remains at current funding formula levels)
•  In 2012, continued decline of Gwinnett County’s property tax digest values by at least another 7.5%, or $36 million in annual revenue
•  Loss of the last remaining Federal stimulus funds that had been saved and used to balance the FY2012 budget: $31 million
•  Increased costs for retirement and employee benefits: - Mandated increase in state and local employer contributions to
retirement— $7 million - Projected increase in employer cost for non-certified employees’ health insurance— $11 million
•  Cost of new teachers required for estimated student growth of approximately
1,000 more students in 2012–13— $4 million.

to balance the current budget. The $1.7 billion spending plan was passed in April.

The complete GCPS release concerning the FY 2013 budget is attached to this article.