School budget cuts

Calhoun County School Superintendent Tommy McClellan advises that, despite severe budget cuts, few jobs will be eliminated in our school system.McClellan tells The County Record the School Board held onto stimulus money last year after suspecting that more budget cuts would be forthcoming. “That was around $430,000 to offset whatever we’re cut,” he explains, adding that they will lose somewhere around $1 million this year. “We’ll save a little bit on the 3 percent retirement,” he adds, referring to teachers now being required to contribute 3 percent to their own retirement fund.“We should have to cut very little,” he remarks. “I won’t tell you we won’t have to cut any, but if we cut any personnel, it will be some we would probably cut any way.”A decision on any jobs to be eliminated is expected by May 23.