County schools face $4.4 million-budget shortfall

Santa Rosa County schools face a budget shortfall of roughly $4.4 million for the 2011-2012 school year, forcing schools to shorten the school day and lay off teachers, among other measures, due to state-wide budget cuts in education.

Santa Rosa County School Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick said the county had a projected shortfall of $11.1 million for the coming school year. With savings the county created from other areas, the shortfall is approximately $4.4 million.

The county has been facing budget cuts for the last four years. The budget in 2007-2008 was roughly $169 million; in 2010-2011, the district had a budget of only $148 million, a difference of $11 million. In the same time period, more than 100 new students enrolled in county schools.

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