In early January, Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter announced there will be about $40 million in budget holdbacks to state agencies and public schools. In the fiscal year 2011, Otter recommends $1.5 billion, which is $130 million less than the current year.
There are more businesses besides schools that might be affected by the budget cuts. Jim Woods, Herrett Center director, is not sure yet how the budget cuts will change the ways of the Herrett Center. The Herrett Center relies on school field trips to stay in business. Mr. Woods explains, “Since museums are generally not perceived to be part of the regular educational experience, we find ourselves in a precarious position when the educational budgets start getting trimmed.” The Herrett Center staff is now looking for a way to get the funding they need to stay open.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna disagrees with Otters decision. According to Times News, Luna doesn’t believe going into debt to keep education whole is the right way to go. Luna reports schools have been doing their best to make sure the budget is balanced. They have been keeping unnecessary spending to the minimum.
