The schools chief in Reno says making $35 million in budget cuts could mean laying off for as many as 200 teachers, administrators and support staff, and dipping again into school book funds and reserve accounts.
Washoe County School District Superintendent Heath Morrison announced the reductions at a news conference Monday at Robert Mitchell Elementary School in Sparks.
Morrison says that with May approaching, the district needs to identify ways to address what could be a $75 million revenue shortfall based on Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval's proposed state schools budget.
The main points of Morrison's proposal calls for a class size increase of two students in grades first through third. He also wants to postpone any purchase of new textbooks and pull more than $13 million out of the district's savings account. Morrison said his proposal makes up only $35 million dollars of the budget shortfall. There is still another $40 million they need to chop.
"That gets us to $35 million. If we have to get to $40.2 million, that's going to mean more class increases and programs cut," said Morrison.
Morrison says unknown factors include the final budget and possible union concessions during contract negotiations.
The school district is currently in talks with its five employee associations.
