Schools Still Short Funds

Even with federal stimulus dollars, the Metro Schools will have to dip into its reserve funds to make ends meet next year.

In a preview of next week’s budget hearing, Schools director Jesse Register told Metro Council members last night that they had to cut $15 million and 200 positions from next year’s budget to keep the same number of programs.

The district will get $45 million in stimulus funds, but those can only be used for at-risk kids and for special education. Register says the money can’t be used to alleviate woes in the operating budget.

“What it does do though is enhance or enrich what we can do. We’re putting the money into professional development. We’re buying special education materials, significant programs and investment there.”

The School district has its hearing with the Metro Council on its $620 million budget next Wednesday.