CCSD wants your help to determine how to cut millions from budget
The Clark County School District is asking for the public’s input on cuts to close a $50 million to $60 million budget shortfall.
The survey is available through midnight Sept. 10, and can be accessed at www.surveymonkey.com/r/
The shortfall stems in part from state revenues that came in lower than expected, as well as an arbitration award for administrators’ raises, district officials say. The deficit likely means widespread layoffs and has resulted in a temporary hiring freeze.
The current deficit is about $52 million, the district said in a press release Tuesday. But as officials close out financial numbers from the previous fiscal year, that number could change.
Officials are seeking to identify $70 million to $80 million in cuts, as schools are already a few months into their fiscal year and thus need to cut more than the current deficit amount.
CFO Jason Goudie said the district spends about 88 percent of its unrestricted funds on schools or direct school services, with about 87 percent going to pay its 40,000 employees.
“We appreciate that legislators have worked to increase the amount of money we receive,” Goudie said in a video to the public. “However, we continue to find that the cost of employees and other expenses, such as utilities and insurance, are increasing rapidly.”
Contact Amelia Pak-Harvey at apak-harvey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4630. Follow @AmeliaPakHarvey on Twitter.
