More Budget Cuts Come to Richmond County Schools

Augusta, GA—- These parents picking up their kids from Cross Creek High School share a common concern. They are worried about more budget cuts.

Byron Johnson, Parent: “Our children are our future without our children we have no future and I feel that the biggest investment in our lives should be our children. So, if they will make cuts, cuts should be anywhere but our educational systems.”

Tuesday night Superintendent Doctor Dana Bedden announced more cuts on top of the $7.2 million already cut. This time, Governor Sonny Perdue is asking school leaders to trim an additional $863,000. Teachers say they are trying to remain focused.

Kevin Beasley, Social Studies Teacher: “We are here for those guys, who are in there in the classrooms, right now. We just have to buckle down and do what we need to do. We need to keep on teaching.”

About $136,000 will be taken out of the transportation department. Doctor Bedden says more cuts are coming in December. Parent’s like Johnson say the quality of education is taking a direct hit.

Byron Johnson: “We are already having problems with gangs, with our children taking tests, passing tests all these type problems. But, additional funds should be allocated to the schools and not taken away from them.”

Kevin Beasley: “It hurts as far as the supplies we can get. As far as new technology but as bad as it hurts we have to remember why we are here.”

Doctor Bedden says he will not automatically start cutting the budget but will wait until the new wave of cuts come in December to figure it all out.