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‘A tough year ahead for PSS’
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Posted on Jul 12 2011
The Public School System will be facing a “tough year” when classes open on Sept. 5 due to the expected funding shortfall for both programs and operation, according to Board of Education chair Marylou Ada.
“Funding is very critical this new school year so we’re asking [PSS administrators and employees] to be innovative and creative while we’re searching for other avenues to continue all our programs,” she said.
She vowed, however, not to jeopardize the quality of education being provided public school students.
“Our SAT-10 scores are going up…and we want to continue that. It’s a very challenging year and it will take a lot of team work. Our funds from the feds are also slowly depleting so we need to be careful in spending it [and] not sacrifice the quality of education for our kids,” she said.
Herman T. Guerrero, chair of the fiscal and personnel affairs committee, said the proposed $30 million budget for public schools in fiscal year 2012 may not be realized due to declining government revenue. The Fitial administration earlier estimated government revenue to reach only $102 million this new fiscal year.
Guerrero also disclosed that under the proposed consolidated grant under Title 6, which will use Title regulations, funding may not be available for private schools due to strict requirements that funds will be used only for low-income enrollees.
“So it may not be business-as-usual for private schools because Title I is strictly for low-income kids. This will pose additional challenge to our private schools,” he added.
