Mitchell optimistic deficit plan will be accepted

Published 10:53 am Thursday, May 11, 2017

JASPER — Superintendent Rex Mitchell informed the Hamilton County School Board at Tuesday’s meeting that he is confident the plan to correct the possible $1.3 million deficit will be accepted by the state.

Superintendent Rex Mitchell announced in a meeting April 10, the district faced a projected $1.3 million deficit for the end of the year.

According to Mitchell, the deficit stemmed from a reduction in funds due to the number of students in the school district declining and an increase in spending in transportation and maintenance.

In an email to The Jasper News, Mitchell provided highlights of the plan submitted to Florida Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart, which she has yet to approve.

Hamilton County’s plan included four highlights:

• Consolidation or eliminating positions at Hamilton County High School, the new Hamilton County Elementary School and at the District Administrative level for a projected savings of $1,033,684;
• Overtime savings in the transportation and maintenance department for a projected savings of $175,000;
• Savings in maintenance and utility cost by opening the new elementary school and closing the four older campuses (North Hamilton, South Hamilton, Central Hamilton, Greenwood) projected savings of $100,000;
• Increase in revenue in transportation from Florida Education Finance Program due to the location of the new elementary school being more than two miles from most student homes and the district being able to claim these students for funding would provide approximately $115,666 in new funds.

According to Mitchell, the total of these proposed strategies of $1,424,350 would return the school district to a sound financial position.

Mitchell said the school district will not know the final budget deficit until the end of the fiscal year on June 30.