Layoffs, furloughs to help Miss. schools balance books

Published 12:00 am Friday, May 7, 2010

JACKSON (AP) — Some Mississippi school district officials have taken austerity measures — from layoffs to furloughs — to keep their books in the black this fall.

The Clinton Public School District announced Thursday its employees, including teachers, will work three fewer days for each of the next two years. And, the DeSoto County School District earlier this week announced it was making nearly $18 million in budget cuts through salary reductions, layoffs and program changes.

House Education Committee Chairman Cecil Brown says most of the state’s 152 school districts will likely make similar cuts.

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The Legislature passed a budget that included a contingency plan if Mississippi receives millions in federal dollars. But, Brown says most districts are basing their budget plans on a figure that doesn’t include the federal money.