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5 <br /> The Board of Education has been proactive in preparing for this sharp decline in state and federal <br /> revenues and has taken steps to increase reserve funding. Over the past four years,the school system has <br /> focused on cost cutting and efficiency using available resources. A wide range of strategies have been <br /> implemented, including reductions in force,applying payroll flexibility, not filling position vacancies, <br /> employing contracted services, and trimming departmental budgets. I am recommending that the Board <br /> appropriate $1,431,698 of its fund balance reserves to offset state and federal cuts. It is important to note <br /> that the remaining fund balance must be kept intact in order to offset projected capital funding reductions <br /> and/or further state and federal cuts. <br /> The proposed revenue plan is outlined below: <br /> Revenues and savings <br /> Increase in per pupil appropriation of$220 $ 2,307,184 <br /> Funding Flexibility Savings 700,000 <br /> Fund Balance Appropriation 1,431,698 <br /> Total funds applied to the budget $ 4,438,882 <br /> The recommended requested local appropriation from the Board of County Commissioners is <br /> $25,376,758. This amount is based on the following: 7,639 students(based on county projection) <br /> multiplied by$3,322 per pupil. This represents a$2,307,184 increase over the 2011-2012 appropriation. <br /> Over the past four years,the school system's budget planning has focused on reducing costs and <br /> protecting vital classroom expenditures. If approved, this proposed revenue plan will prevent teacher job <br /> loss,maintain class sizes,and limit the cumulative damaging effects of huge state budget cuts. This <br /> revenue plan will also provide continued financial support for the world language program and allow for <br /> the continuation of other key academic college and career readiness initiatives including strengthening <br /> science and mathematics instruction,maintaining our strong literacy initiative,providing access to <br /> advanced technology and rigorous coursework, and narrowing achievement gaps. <br /> The students of Orange County Schools have exhibited significant academic gains and measures of <br /> progress which include higher graduation rates,narrowing of achievement gaps,lower dropout rates,and <br /> SAT/ACT scores above the national and state average. In spite of the challenges of declining revenues, <br /> we will maintain a clear focus on the most important thing: the success and achievement of our students. <br /> The students,the classroom,and excellent teaching remain the top priorities in our district. <br /> /pmc <br />