Belen Schools: No decision yet on cuts

August 12, 2010

The Belen Consolidated Schools Board of Education said on Tuesday night they aren’t ready to announce any budget cuts, even with cuts looming from the state.

The board sought to halt “rumors” around the district about where the cuts might be made.

Board President Jamie Goldberg said no decisions were made on where to cut after last week’s budget workshop, where board members heard more details of the statewide cuts and began considering how to deal with them.

“We need to look multiple years down the road to keep the best quality of education for our students, number one, and, number two, take care of our employees,” he said.

Goldberg said the good news is that the federal government approved a new infusion of cash for school districts across the country, which might supplement some of the money the district was going to have to cut.

According to United States Sen. Jeff Bingaman’s office, the federal government will pump $126 million into Medicaid in New Mexico, freeing up an equal amount within the state’s budget to close the state’s budget deficit. It’ll also provide an additional $65 million for New Mexico’s school districts.

Bingaman said the money will prevent teacher layoffs.

Board Member Julian Luna echoed Goldberg’s sentiment, saying he was “digesting proposals” for possible budget cuts.

“We want to ensure our students get the best education they can,” he said.

In order to manage the budget, Luna said everyone needs to continue to help reduce spending.

“We’re going to be very conservative in how we spend our money over the next few years,” he said.

Board Member Dolores Quintana was a bit more blunt.

“We’re not going to promise a lot of things,” she said. “We’re going to do the best we can.”

Posted in: Schools