A nearly three hour workshop Friday morning by Highlands County school board members, has resulted in a call for a special meeting to discuss further budget cuts to the system. This time the focus will be on the main office of Superintendent of Schools Brenda Longshore.
The planned afternoon session on May 11 will discuss job descriptions in the district office. Earlier this year, Longshore apparently submitted a cost cutting proposal to the Florida Department of Education focusing mainly on schools .
Although it was approved, board members agreed at the Friday session that the savings might not be enough to offset rising healthcare costs and dwindling student enrollment.
In what was termed a “brainstorming session,” board members Friday opined on different kinds of cuts and consolidations before turning their attention to Longshore’s operation.
School board member Nicole Radonski said she had heard an “overwhelming voice,” to look at “cuts from the top,” citing recent similar actions in Lee County.
Board member Mason Whiddon suggested the system work at a marketing effort to encourage students to return to the government funded public schools.
The board is seeking at least a five percent contingency fund.
