Could classroom crowding and course offerings get worse in Wake next year?

As noted in today's article, that's something that Wake Supt. Del Burns is hoping to avoid with the $20 million in Central Services cuts that he wans to make for next fiscal year. But he's not ruling out the possibility that more classroom cuts could be needed for next school year.

"We're trying to preserve the services we now have," Burns said.

Wake Supt. Del Burns announced plans today to cut $20 million from the Central Services budget for the upcoming fiscal year

The cuts still have to be identified but would come from areas not based at schools. He's hoping these cuts will reduce the amount that could be cut from school spending.

Burns said he called for the cuts now because Wake is facing $17 million in both additional costs and cuts in funding for next year that have to be addressed.

Click here for the district's press release.

UPDATE

Click here for the online story. 

It looks we've got some ominous budget news coming Thursday from Superintendent Del Burns.

The school district sent out a press release this afternoon that Burns will hold a media briefing on Thursday to make an "announcement" on the 2010-11 fiscal year budget. The press release doesn't give details but it's not likely going to be good news.

State revenue collections are down, fueling fears that cuts will be ordered.

Kevin Hill, chairman of the school board, said the briefing was arranged by staff and not the board. While he didn't know what Burns will say, he expects him to announce what preparations are being made for the next fiscal year.

The class-size waivers are now in the hands of the state Board of Education.

As noted in today's article, the school board voted Tuesday to request waivers for 329 K-3 classes at 66 elementary schools. School administrators are blaming the need for the waivers on the state budget problems.

"We’re not at a position we want to be in," Supt. Del Burns told board members. "We wish classes weren’t at this size. We’re still dealing with the impact of the economy.”

The outgoing school board members left without throwing any real verbal bombs today as they were showered with awards and praise.

The outgoing board members spent much of their final comments thanking their families and school administrators. They also stood behind the decisions they made.

"Parents haven’t really liked what was done," said school board vice chairman Horace Tart. "But we always did what we did with the children in mind. That was the big picture."

School board member Keith Sutton wasn't happy last week at the apparent lack of diversity among the latest winners of the district's Employee Excellence awards.

Once a month, the school district honors employees, who've been nominated by their colleagues, at a school board meeting. Last week, 13 employees were recognized.

It was the first such ceremony for Sutton, who joined the board in August. After the ceremony ended and the employees left the room, Sutton said the winners did not appear to be a very diverse group.

While some of you guys want the new school board majority to get rid of Supt. Del Burns, it wouldn't be cheap or easy.

As noted in today's article, buying out Burns' contract would mean paying him 18 months of salary, or $409,500. The alternative is firing him with cause, which is essentially a trial that would be expensive as well.

School board member Ron Margiotta said he hopes Burns will stay on to implement the changes that will be made. He said he personally likes Burns.

Cathy Truitt fired bullets at the new school board members, the Wake County Republican Party and the Wake Schools Community Alliance as she announced her decision to concede the District 2 race.

Truitt warned that the new board majority will move toward resegregated schools by cutting magnet programs and sending students to "pure neighborhood schools." She said the public needs to speak out now to get the board to back off from making the quick changes she said they're planning.

"I don't think people want the school system to be blown up," Truitt said at her press conference. "If people get involved now, they can have an impact."

While there's been some talk about Ron Margiotta becoming the new school board chairman, it probably won't happen quite that soon.

Kevin Hill said he's planning to stay on as chairman until at least June when his term expires. He said he feels he can work with the new board members.

But what could happen is Margiotta being elected vice chairman in December when Horace Tart, who lost his reelection bid, leaves the board. The new vice chairman would sit in on board agenda meetings with Supt. Del Burns and in leadership meetings with the county commissioners.

School board candidate Cathy Truitt is revising her account of being asked if she'd support firing Supt. Del Burns.

Truitt had said on WPTF on Sept. 24 that school board member Ron Margiotta had asked her in a vetting interview if she'd support a motion to fire Burns. Truitt said Wednesday that she was asked that question but she's not sure if Margiotta was the questioner.

Truitt said that at several candidate vetting interviews she was asked the same question. The question was whether she would support firing Asst. Supt. Chuck Dulaney.