Portsmouth school budget passes with no layoffs

(Editor's note: The headline on an earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the school division.)

PORTSMOUTH

The Portsmouth School Board passed a nearly $149 million budget for the next school year that does not call for layoffs and gives division employees average step raises of about 1.5 percent.

The board voted 6-2 on Thursday night to approve the plan, which is about $3 million less than this year's budget.

It reflects about $1.6 million less in funding from the city, about $7.5 million less from the state, and a boost of about $6 million in federal stimulus money.

Board members Mark Whitaker and Ned McCabe voted against the budget.

Employees are slated to receive the step raises in September, a move that should save about $180,000, school officials say. The raises had been planned to take effect in July but were postponed to help make up for deficits.

The budget also calls for holding off on renovations of Churchland Primary and Intermediate School, which should save about $900,000.

School officials also estimated savings of about $636,000 in the next school year because 38 employees accepted an early retirement incentive.

The budget included some additions, including $26,000 to enhance middle school physical education programs and an extra $15,000 for School Board travel.

Superintendent David Stuckwisch asked for the travel funds to more clearly reflect what the board has spent on travel this year. The board's budget is about $36,000, but about $50,000 was spent, school officials said.

While the board's travel budget was increased, out-of-town travel and development expenses for division employees was slashed by 50 percent for next school year.

Several board members weren't pleased with Stuckwisch's recommendation to increase their travel allowance.

McCabe, Jim Hewitt and Jean Shackelford asked to move the $15,000 allotted for board travel to help with facility expenses, but they were voted down.

In June, board members plan further discussions on whether to limit their travel.

Cheryl Ross, (757) 446-2443, cheryl.ross@pilotonline.com