Wake schools eye budget shortfall, job cuts

Approximately 70 employees from instructional services, communications, chief of staff, auxiliary services and administrative services, will be laid off according to a budget presentation made Tuesday morning in a budget work session.

Another 30 to 35 vacant positions will be eliminated, according to the presentation.

The reduction and layoffs would result in a total savings of $6.6 million, helping to close that budget gap.

Details of planned job cuts were expected in early April, when the superintendent asks the board for authority under district policies to start laying off workers.

The $1.2 billion proposed operating budget includes the opening of four new schools – Heritage High, Holly Grove Middle, Mills Park Middle and Alston Ridge Elementary – and an increase of 3,800 students despite the reduced construction of new housing in the county.

The staff hopes to have the budget finalized by the April 6 meeting of the board. The schools’ budget is due to the county commissioners by May 1.