Parkland Considers 63 Staff Cuts to Balance Budget

The is considering a total of 63 staff cuts as it continues the challenging process of balancing the 2012-2013 school budget.

Assistant Superintendent Rod Troutman told the school board at its meeting Tuesday night that the cuts may happen as follows:

• Administration, 3 positions.
• Professional staff -- elementary schools, 9 positions total.
• Professional staff -- and middle schools, 6.5 positions total.
• Professional staff -- , 8.5 positions.
• Support staff, including teacher assistants and part-time custodians, 36 positions.

With more than , Troutman said many of the cuts will be through attrition.

He said the administration is examining each open position to determine whether it will need to be filled next year or whether it can be eliminated. No new positions will be added next school year, he said. 

The number of possible staff cuts is higher than what was initially discussed a month ago. In February, Troutman put the number of

The cuts are proposed to bridge a budget gap that will likely  despite retirements and wage freezes. The board approved a $138 million preliminary budget in January for the 2012-2013 school year that carried a 4.96 percent tax increase, above what the state will ultimately allow, and the district is working to reduce that tax increase.

Parkland raised taxes 3.8 percent for the 2011-2012 school year  and freezing the administrators’ pay. Those staff cuts saved the district $2.6 million, the administration has said.