Parents concerned about possible budget cuts for Putnam County schools

Putnam County parents are on edge about a video posted to the school district’s website.

In the video, Superintendent Rick Surrency outlines layoffs and cost saving measures he’s recommending to the school board.

Parents say for the most part they’re pleased with schools in the district, but admit talk of cuts has them worried.

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Mother Desiree Blount tells Action News Jax she's concerned about, “Their education and how they’re going to have the teachers to teach our children what they need to learn.”

In the video, Surrency calls for tremendous cuts in funding which he says are inevitable.

“Right now, the state requires us to maintain a 3 percent funding balance over the last several years has been in a continual decline as far as our revenues," Surrency said.

He said if expenditures are not cut, the state can take action against the district.

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He’s recommending $1.5 million in cuts to get the budget back on track.

“Some of that had to do with eliminating some positions in our districts, specifically reading coaches and media specialists,” Surrency said.

They’re also reducing two district police positions and considering getting rid of one school resource officer.

Surrency said their goal is to limit the impact on classroom teachers.

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