The Pulaski County Special School District has begun the process of trimming payroll for the next school year to cure its budget difficulties.

State law generally requires notice by May 1 if employees are not going to be renewed for new contracts beginning July 1. The district begins at the top in eliminating positions. Spokeswoman Deb Roush said two deputy superintendent positions won’t be renewed, but a single new position will be posted for which those employees can apply. Six subject area (such as social studies) coordinators in the central office have been eliminated as well as the staff legal counsel and 3.5 assistant principal jobs. Decisions on teachers and other staff will come later.

Advertisement

Roush said interim Superintendent Jerry Guess remains hopeful that retirement and other attrition will provide most of the slack needed to reduce payroll. She said a number of positions vacated by departing employees already are unfilled.

The district, which is in state receivership for fiscal distress, has been looking for cuts to balance the budget. Negotiations with teacher and support union staffs on an additional $5 million in cuts have so far been inconclusive.

Advertisement

Help to Keep Great Journalism Alive in Arkansas

Join the fight for truth and become a subscriber of the Arkansas Times. We've been battling powerful forces for 50 years through our tough, determined, and feisty journalism. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, our readers value great journalism. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing and supporting our efforts, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers to expand our coverage. Together, we can continue to hold the powerful accountable and bring important stories to light. Subscribe now or donate for as little as $1 and be a part of the Arkansas Times community.

Previous article M2 Gallery turning 5 Next article Greg Thompson Fine Art: Mike Disfarmer