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Greenville ISD Presents Possible Major Cuts

The details haven't been finalized, but signficant budget cuts of some kind seem inevitable for Greenville schools in the 2018-19 school year.
KETR
The details haven't been finalized, but signficant budget cuts of some kind seem inevitable for Greenville schools in the 2018-19 school year.

The fiscally troubled Greenville Independent School District has outlined a proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year that includes major cuts, including elimination of several programs. The budget was presented to the public at a May 31 workshop hosted by the Greenville Independent School District Board of Trustees.

Greenville ISD Chief Financial Officer Deidra Reeves said that the district currently has a budget deficit of about $1.1 million. The cuts add up to about $1.2 million, she said. Among the proposed reductions:

$472,000: Laying off or reassigning of some central office staff to lower-paying positions.

$255,000: Closing the Greenville Service Building on King Street, moving offices housed there to the current Katherine G. Johnson STEM Academy building, and consolidating of the STEM Academy and Crockett Elementary School.

$197,000: Cutting the Suzuki Strings program. -

$120,000: Reducing staff phone and travel allowance reimbursements.

$71,000: Eliminating employer matches on 403B retirement plans.

$62,800: Reducing various stipends.

$58,000: Cutting Greenville Middle School’s JROTC program.

The presentation also introduced the possibility of reducing employer health insurance contributions from $325 to $225, which would add up to about $688,800 in additional savings if implemented.

The Greenville Herald- Banner reported that trustee Lesley Overstreet said that she did not feel comfortable about cuts of any student programs without additional data on student interest or the programs’ sources of funding, and that she’d be interested in seeing what the cost-per-student is for the Suzuki Strings program, specifically.

An informational meeting about the relocation of the STEM Academy to Crockett Elementary would be held 6:30 p.m. June 12 at the Greenville High School auditorium.

Mark Haslett has served at KETR since 2013. Since then, the station's news operation has enjoyed an increase in listener engagement and audience metrics, as well recognition in the Texas AP Broadcasters awards.