"If we have to adjust our budget by 50-million dollars it would tear this school system apart. we will regress 10 to 15 years,"
That dire prediction come from Buffalo City Schools Superintendent Dr. James Williams regarding the impact the states budget cuts would have on city schools.
"It's about 30 percent of out workforce this will impact because we usually average about 50 thousand dollars per person. So, if we have to lay off about 30 percent of our workforce it's going to be devastating," said Dr. Williams.
Several parents attended the meeting to get a look at the numbers and find out how it might impact their children.
"My concern is my children they are receiving special education services such as speech therapy," said Felicia Hollingsworth.
Some parents like Eboni Hayes says if the certain programs are cut she may consider sending her children to private school.
"I am concerned about the cuts I'm very concerned, but I'm also concerned about how many parents would have the same idea I have to move their child into a private school system," said Hayes.
School officials say deficit can be reduced just a little by dipping into the school systems rainy day fund. Fifteen-million could be used to close the gap to 34-million but the system could still end up loosing many mandated programs.
"You're loosing advance placement classes, your reading coaches, math coaches, smaller class sizes, all the things that were put in place to increase academic achievement," said Superintendent Williams.
At the end of the meeting attendees were given the contact information for their representatives in Albany.
"We really want our parents to get involved and communicate with the legislature about the need for the funding in the school district," said Dr.Williams.
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