Waynesboro School Board searches for revenue sources

The Waynesboro School Board took two steps Monday night designed to partially offset a budget shortfall for next year that is estimated to be at least a $2.6 million.

The board voted to ask Waynesboro City Council for the school district’s nearly $300,000 fund balance left from the 2008-09 budget. The money, if approved by Waynesboro City Council, would be used for operating funds in the 2010-11 budget.

The board also approved an early retirement incentive designed to get those professional and support staff employees contemplating retirement to accept one-time payouts to go ahead and retire.

Employees eligible for the early retirement incentive must be full-time, at least 50 years old and with at least 10 years of Virginia Retirement System service credit.

Professional staff, including teachers and administrators, could receive up to $9,000 if they have 30 years of service. The professional staff would also be offered $40 per day for unused, sick leave days, not to exceed 120 days.

Support staff that include bus drivers, custodians and teacher aides could get a payout of $6,000 for 30 years of service and $20 per day for unused, earned sick leave days.

Those wishing to take the early retirement option must submit a written request to the school district prior to March 8.

School Board Chairman Jeremy Taylor said he felt confident about the school district getting Waynesboro City Council’s approval for the unused fund balance.

And while Taylor expects the school district to net some savings on the early retirement incentive, he is uncertain how much.

Waynesboro Schools Superintendent Robin Crowder said those retirement-eligible employees would be sent a letter as early as today notifying them of their eligibility for the incentive program.

“We don’t want them to retire. We are just giving them the information,’’ Crowder said. The superintendent said that an increased number of retirements would decrease the number of layoffs needed to balance next year’s budget.

Crowder said other variables that could impact the 2010-11 Waynesboro budget remain up in the air while the General Assembly attempts to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the state budget.

The “ifs’’ include a more lenient Senate Finance Committee appropriation on school district VRS contributions. There is also the possibility that school districts whose composite index increased like Waynesboro, would be excused from having their state funding cut in next year’s budget.

The latter move would net Waynesboro an additional $500,000 in state funding.

The school district is scheduled to hold a work session Thursday night on the budget. Crowder said he should have a clearer idea of state revenues by the end of the week.