Schools plan for reductions in force

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Schools plan for reductions in force

Plan calls for $240,000 cut as precautionary measure
Carter email to faculty

In an email scheduled for delivery to faculty on Friday, Montezuma-Cortez School Superintendent Alex Carter said the district faces a near $2.5 million budget shortfall next year as costs of operation continue to rise.
For five straight years, Carter said the district has balanced the budget by supplementing state per-pupil funding with an annual transfer of funds from district reserves.
“We’ve done this for so long that our reserves can no longer support this practice,” Carter penned in the email.
Carter added without increased funding from the state, the district’s budget would be greatly overextended. He asked school board members this week to initiate a reduction in force (RIF) process as a precautionary measure.
“During Tuesday’s meeting, the board approved a “Statement of Fiscal Exigency” explaining why RIFs might be considered,” Carter stated. “I know this makes people nervous, and I hated having to recommend it to the board, but we have to play it safe to ensure the financial solvency of the district.”
Carter further relayed to faculty that should the district actually have to employ the practice, it would only be done carefully. He said any decisions would consider everything possible to protect students and employees.
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