School district trying to get early read on returning teacher numbers

In its own version of National Signing Day, the Cherokee County School District sent out letters of intent last week.

The letters will allow the district to get an early reading on the number of returning teachers to county schools. This information will be used to help the district determine its staffing needs for the upcoming school year.

Salaries accounted for 90 percent of the district's $61.7 million budget approved in July. State budget cuts continue to erode the school spending plan, and personnel will be a major issue for Cherokee County schools next year.

"We have already started the budget process for next year. These letters of intent from teachers will give us an idea on who wants to come back and help us determine our staffing needs," said Andy Jones, district assistant superintendent for administrative services. "We are going to look at every position and job in the district to see what we are able to do next school year."

The district remains committed to avoiding employee layoffs and furloughs this school year. While it doesn't plan a hiring freeze, Jones said the district will carefully watch its personnel costs when staffing schools for the 2009-2010 school year.

"There are some positions we might not fill this year," Jones said. "We are going to have to look closely at every dollar we spend. Everything we do will be based around our instructional program."

State law requires districts to issue teacher contracts by April 15. Teachers have until April 25 to return the contracts.

While this timetable won't change, Jones said a good response from returning teachers will help the district as it develops a plan for dealing with this year's challenging budget year.

State Rep. Lanny Littlejohn (R-Spartanburg) said the state will have to make tough choices in education and other areas this year.

"Things are not looking well for this year's budget. We will have some hard decisions to make," Littlejohn said. "Sometimes I think we accomplish more in the legislature in bad times than good times because everyone is more willing to pitch in and work."