Brevard School Board rethinks potential cuts

Elementary art teachers, along with elementary music teachers and media specialists, are among the last positions that could be cut in a potential budget crisis next school year.

On Tuesday, Brevard Superintendent Brian Binggeli suggested changing a list of proposed budget cuts — prioritize saving art, music and media positions — after hearing from parents, teachers and community members in recent months.

Uncertain about funding next school year, Brevard School Board members are preparing a list of nearly $18 million in potential budget cuts, some of which may be worst-case scenarios.

In addition, lists are being developed for other scenarios: In case more state money than expected comes through next school year, and how to handle potential budget shortfalls if a half-cent sales tax fails at the ballot in November.

"I can tell you, as we sit here this evening, we cannot bring you that budget information," Binggeli said. "They are not finished in the Legislature."

The change was the only one made to the proposed list of 2014-15 budget cuts. Parents and community members have been vocal about the need to keep such programs.

"It's always been very near the bottom of the list," Binggeli said of elementary art teachers. "Now it's literally, along with media specialists and elementary music, at the very bottom of the list."

The new, 25-item list creates this order; the smaller the number, the more likely it is to be cut:

• Eliminating 55 elementary art teachers and an art resource teacher, a savings of nearly $3 million, is now No. 23 on the list.

• Cutting 83 media specialists and one media resource teacher, a savings of nearly $4.4 million, is No. 24.

• Eliminating 57 elementary music teachers, a savings of $3 million, is No. 25.

Brevard School Board members are expected to discuss the lists at a future meeting.

"If we have to reach that deep to make cuts," School Board member Amy Kneessy said, "we will no longer be the outstanding district that we have had the reputation of being."

Ryan is at 321-242-3664 or mryan@floridatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter @Mackenzie_Ryan.