Albuquerque Public Schools: $19 Million Short

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The Albuquerque Public Schools district has cut spending by $100 million in the last three budget years. If early APS projections are correct, the district will have to cut $19 million more.

Winston Brooks

According to early budget numbers presented by the administration to the APS board's finance committee this week, $7 million of the shortage comes from a projected increase in the share the district pays in employee retiree costs. Another $4 million of the shortfall is from a decline in enrollment of more than 1,000 students this school year. Projections of more teachers qualifying for a higher salary tier, increased textbook costs and the lack of a furlough day in last year's budget that needs to be negotiated for this year's budget are other factors included in the $19 million figure. The numbers are coming well ahead of the fiscal year beginning next July 1 and could change significantly before the district's next budget is due. "With 90 percent of our budget in salaries and benefits, that's really the only place we have to go," APS Chief Financial Officer Don Moya said. "With the vast majority of that staff being in the classroom, my fear is that that's the only place to go for additional cuts." Read full story here: News New Mexico

Albuquerque Public Schools: $19 Million Short