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JPS Budget Includes Layoffs, Elimination Of Success Academy, Field Trips

Dr. Bret Apthorpe, Jamestown Public Schools superintendent.

The Jamestown Public Schools District could look significantly different next year, whether students return in the fall or not, due to COVID-19.

Included in the $88,313,671 2020-21 budget passed by the school board Tuesday — and which now goes to district residents for a vote by absentee ballot — is seven layoffs for teachers and other staff; the temporary elimination of the Success Academy and P-Tech programs; the axing of all field trips; and the holding off on 40 hirings that included bringing in 23 teachers.

“It’s certainly a pandemic budget,” said Dr. Bret Apthorpe, Jamestown Public Schools superintendent. “It’s a really unique time, and I don’t know a time in recent memory we had to develop a budget based on speculation. … What we did was adopt a budget that we think is responsible.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the state to plan deep cuts in aid (as much as 20%) to schools. Apthorpe said of the roughly $90 million district budget, $70 million is dependent on state aid.

A 20% reduction could mean about $14 million less in state aid going toward the budget for the 2020-21 year.

The spending plan does not raise taxes for district residents. To do so, the district had to look at a range of options. Next year will likely see the elimination of conferences and trainings for teachers and staff; no new equipment, supplies and uniforms; and holding off on the hiring of a school resource officer.

Included in the budget is a second instructional technology specialist, a focus on distance learning training and modernizing curriculum to adapt to changes brought on by the coronavirus.

See Thursday’s addition of The Post-Journal for complete coverage.

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