RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR)—The Richmond School Board had to vote on proposed changes for the school budget, although not all items on the agenda were covered.
After a lengthy meeting, Richmond School Board members adopted next year’s school budget with a 7-2 vote.
Despite requests from the mayor to approve of the upcoming school year’s budget with no layoffs or furlough days, some board members tell CBS 6, such action was impossible.
In order to close the system’s $15 million dollar deficit, five furlough days will be implemented, nearly 30 employees will be laid off, employees will be required to contribute up to three percent of their salary to the state’s retirement system and the school district will reduce its contribution to retirees by 30 percent.
Cuts had already begun on Friday, when several school employees were told to go to an undisclosed location where they were told they were going to be laid off.
School board members still have to tackle rezoning and the potential savings by closing at least four elementary schools. Even though next year’s budget is adopted, school leaders will likely find themselves in this same position again because they’re already beginning the subsequent school year with a $10 million dollar deficit.
