The Cherokee County School District could lose $1 million in revenue this year from state budget cuts that will be made this week.

The state Budget and Control Board will meet Thursday to consider acrossthe board budget cuts for state agencies since tax revenues are off projections.

Local school administrators expect a budget cut between 4 and 5 percent from a $61.7 million budget approved in June.

Finance director Ben Childs estimates a 5 percent budget cut would cost the district $1 million.

"We will have to wait for information from the state on how the budget cuts will impact the school district before we make any decisions," Childs said. "We will rely heavily on school funding flexibility to deal with the budget cuts. It's a difficult situation with these cuts coming just two months into the new fiscal year."

Gov. Mark Sanford signed a school funding flexibility law in June. The new law gives school districts the ability to move funds, use state lottery money, re-negotiate salaries for retired teachers who opt to continue working, and furlough employees to deal with the budget cuts.

About 90 percent of the school district's budget goes towards salaries and benefits.

Cherokee County relied on employee attrition and moved teachers around to different schools to reduce personnel costs this school year.

School trustees approved 51 transfers of teachers and district staff to new schools at Monday's board meeting.

Superintendent Dr. Bill James said the district is simply searching for the best ways to keep its employees working while dealing with its financial problems.

At James' request, school trustees postponed plans to purchase an emergency generator to back up the district office computer system. The school board also delayed plans to replace carpet and tile in school office areas such as Gaffney High.

"We will take a look at our financial situation at the end of year and see if we have the money available to pay for these projects from the debt service fund," James said.