Now it's $5 million

It wasn't bad enough that Raleigh told Guilford County to send back $2.8 million in "cost-cutting measures." Now it's worse...GCS brass say they now need to send back an additional $2.3 million because of lower-than-projected enrollment for the current academic year.

N&R:

Guilford County Schools officials expect to lose about $5 million in state funding, nearly twice what was expected. The amount represents about 0.8 percent of the $643 million budget approved in August.

School superintendents statewide were notified earlier this week that they would have to revert some state funding — totaling about $58 million — to Raleigh as part of cost-cutting measures. The mandate came from Gov. Mike Easley’s office as state officials prepared for a budget shortfall that could be as high as $1.6 billion.

So once again, the Triad suffers as boneheaded decisions are made in Raleigh. Don't blame me, I voted for "none of the above" a couple of weeks ago; a total transformation needs to take place in Raleigh. Sadly, that will not happen anytime soon.

More:

Not on the chopping block is the hiring of a new chief of staff. Last week, the school board approved hiring Nora Carr. She currently works for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools as the top public relations official. Carr’s base salary will be $150,000.

Some school board members are standing behind the decision.

“We have to be committed to providing the superintendent with the tools and resources he needs to do his job,” said school board Vice Chairman Amos Quick. He added that the board would consider eliminating the position if Green recommends it.

Green said he can’t promise there won’t be layoffs, but he said that is something he wants to avoid.

I wouldn't use the "L" word, Mo. You want to start a crap-storm? That's the easiest way to do it. But honestly, if you think about it, GCS has become a pristine place for highly-paid PR staffers. People to write press releases.

I can write a press release. I'll do it for $10 an hour! Sure, $150,000 is nice, but I would rather see that money go to the classrooms, or back to the taxpayers. And supply money is the last thing needing to be cut since supply money never gets to the classrooms as it is.

E.C. :)