Manatee district to present budget cuts tonight

Manatee County Superintendent Tim McGonegal will present recommendations to handle $8.87 million in budget cuts for the 2010-2011 school year, including a property tax increase, at the Manatee County School Board meeting tonight.

The board is not scheduled to vote on the proposed cuts until its July 26 meeting.

Budget cut recommendations include a reduction of district office staff positions and levels of service, a savings of $750,000, and a freeze on hiring, which would result in the use of long-term subs — an estimated savings of $460,000 annually.

Other cuts include: $85,000 from market bus inspection and bus wash services; $50,000 from reducing the use of Builder’s Risk Insurance for construction projects; and $261,000 from reducing substitute teacher and aide pay by $7 daily.

McGonegal is recommending the district levy a .25 critical needs property tax to raise $6.7 million to keep from impacting elective programs on all levels. Forty-three Florida school districts enacted the tax during the 2009-10 school year.

The school district already has cut $44 million form its annual operating budget over the last two school years, but the district is facing $8.87 million in additional cuts because of declining state sales-tax revenues and decreasing property values.

The meeting will be held at 5:45 p.m., June 28, at 215 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].