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Cuts hit Fla. School for Deaf and Blind | tallahassee.com | Tallahassee Democrat
Like many school districts in the state, the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind will need to make uncomfortable budget cuts.
The school, located in St. Augustine, was recently told by the Florida Department of Education that it will need to cut $1.7 million from its $46 million budget.
The free public school has 872 students who range from pre-schoolers to 22-year-olds. The older students live in dorms on campus, they're able to go home on the weekends. It serves 15 students from the Big Bend area, nine of whom are from Leon County.
"Any budget cuts would impact our school seriously," said Kathy Gillespie, director of public information. "The first thing a school has to do is immediately tell every one to stop spending."
She said administrators have been "in a vicious round of meetings" since being told of the cuts. A field trip to Sea World was canceled this week.
Gillespie said the school can't afford to take students on any field trips unless it is directly related to education.
Tallahassee parent Christal Powell said the field trips add a special element for her deaf 18-year-old daughter, Erinn.
"I would like to see those things continue," she said. But she understands that the school is in a tough financial situation.
Gillespie said teachers also are concerned.
"Fearful is the right word," she said. "They are nervous about their jobs."
Jimmie Jones, who lives in the Pine Grove community between Greensboro and Bristol, said his 16-year-old grandson, Shane Childers, has flourished since he started going to the school.
"They keep you informed of what's going on," Jones said. "They really care about the students."
Like many school districts in the state, the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind will need to make uncomfortable budget cuts.
The school, located in St. Augustine, was recently told by the Florida Department of Education that it will need to cut $1.7 million from its $46 million budget.
The free public school has 872 students who range from pre-schoolers to 22-year-olds. The older students live in dorms on campus, they're able to go home on the weekends. It serves 15 students from the Big Bend area, nine of whom are from Leon County.
"Any budget cuts would impact our school seriously," said Kathy Gillespie, director of public information. "The first thing a school has to do is immediately tell every one to stop spending."
She said administrators have been "in a vicious round of meetings" since being told of the cuts. A field trip to Sea World was canceled this week.
Gillespie said the school can't afford to take students on any field trips unless it is directly related to education.
Tallahassee parent Christal Powell said the field trips add a special element for her deaf 18-year-old daughter, Erinn.
"I would like to see those things continue," she said. But she understands that the school is in a tough financial situation.
Gillespie said teachers also are concerned.
"Fearful is the right word," she said. "They are nervous about their jobs."
Jimmie Jones, who lives in the Pine Grove community between Greensboro and Bristol, said his 16-year-old grandson, Shane Childers, has flourished since he started going to the school.
"They keep you informed of what's going on," Jones said. "They really care about the students."
