Previous Story
Opening of new schools might be delayed
|
Posted on Sep 29 1999
The Public School System may have to delay the opening of two new schools if the government is forced to run a budget under continuing resolution next fiscal year, a top education official said yesterday.
Esther Fleming, chairperson of the Board of Education, said PSS hopes to open the Sinapalo and Kagman elementary schools next school year.
“Unless we’re given additional funds on top of the budget level that we would be using based on continuing resolution, we might be forced the delay the opening of the two new schools in year 2001,” Fleming said.
The education agency’s current budget is $37 million. It hopes to get a share of $42 million from the proposed $206 million Commonwealth budget for FY 2000.
The administration and the House of Representatives, however, could not agree on the House Ways and Means Committee’s proposed changes in the budget package.
The current fiscal year ends tomorrow, but the Legislature and the administration failed to reach consensus on budget cuts. (See related story on Page 1)
The Legislature and the administration decided yesterday not to pass the spending proposal for FY 2000, but they have until today to finalize their decision.
Fleming said PSS can deal with the current budget level without disruptions in its operation.
“It would be business as usual for us,” she said.
The agency’s only concern, she added, is the teacher hiring requirement for the new schools, and its request for construction of additional classrooms in Dandan Elementary School, which is facing an overcrowding problem
If new classrooms are built in Dandan campus, additional teachers for this school would have to be hired, Fleming said.
This school year, PSS was able to hire at least 100 teachers, which are funded positions based on the current appropriations made by the government.
The education board’s fiscal committee meets today to discuss the looming budget crisis. (MCM)
