NNews schools try to trim budget

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) - School leaders in Newport News need to come up with ways to cut $5 million.

Mary Lou Roaseau handles the district's budget and told WAVY.com in the last four years, the school system has eliminated 386 positions, mostly through attrition or retirement.

This year, more cuts are expected to be made. Fifty-five positions will be eliminated, 34 of those are teaching positions, but again those jobs belong to teachers who are retiring.

Roaseau said the district has done a good job of planning ahead and saving stimulus money.

"So, what we did instead and what the board was supportive of doing was meeting some one time needs with that money. So, we began to immediately drop some of the positions we've had, so we could do it gradually," said Roaseau.

In Newport News, enrollment is down by about 1,200 students, which has also helped in balancing the budget.

Energy saving costs have also been put in place to help save money.

The $5 million in cuts will help supplement rising costs for employee benefits. Next year, benefits will cost the school system $10 million.