Orange County Budget Shortfall could reach $6 million

Orange County public schools presented their budgets on April 26 based on a projected state funding reduction of $3.5 million. With this projection, the total shortfall is forecast at $6.4 million. The school board awaits the final word on funding cuts from Sacramento - the news could get worse for schools if California decides to make deeper cuts to local school funding.

The number one priority, according to the Orange County Board of Education vice chairwoman, is to preserve as many classroom positions as possible. This may give some solace to teachers who are waiting to hear if they will still have a job come August. Many teachers have already been cut, or positions reduced, so that teachers are resorting to private teaching, part time jobs, and tutoring to fill the gap.

In the classroom, students can fall behind in this situation, prompting parents to fill in the gaps with tutoring, after school programs and summer school (if it hasn't been cut already.)

Source: Steven Norton | The Daily Tar Heel