Wake schools' budget will be tight

RALEIGH -- Wake County Schools Superintendent Del Burns said today the district is preparing for a tight budget this upcoming fiscal year in the face of the national recession without sacrificing academics.

In his mid-term report, Burns said he’s directed departments to draw up the new 2010-11 operating budget in light of the economic conditions affecting the country.

It’s too soon to say if that will mean recommending no increase in funding or a smaller one from the county and state, he said.

Burns is scheduled to present his proposed budget to the school board in March.

“There is no question we could use additional resources,” Burns said. “But we’ll move forward with the resources we’re provided and accept no excuses for the results.”

The school board had agreed in December to give back $11 million to the county and state to make up for their budget shortfalls this fiscal year.

The economic picture isn’t looking better for the upcoming fiscal year for either the county or state.

Burns said employees will work within the resources they have to change the culture in schools to improve student attendance and to make sure students are studying the state’s curriculum.

Burns said they’ll also work to implement the new goal adopted by the school board in December to have 100 percent of students graduating high school by 2014.

Burns said the community should take pride in Wake being one of the best large school districts in the nation. With 137,706 students, Wake is the largest school district in the state and the 18th largest nationally.