Today is the deadline for public education boards to offer contracts to their teachers.
But without an education budget set by the Legislature, school boards are hiring on government IOUs.
"We are treading uncharted waters. Never in my career as superintendent has there been a situation like this," said Dr. Leslie Daniels, Greenwood superintendent.
For Greenwood teachers, it's a matter of certification. At Tuesday's Greenwood School Board meeting, Daniels recommended that all certified teachers be rehired.
Before this year, the usual procedure was to recommend certified and non-certified at the same meeting.
"Around 80 percent of our budget goes towards salaries. In our district we have approximately 250 certified teachers," said Steve Loden, the district's business manager.
Willie Young, personnel director, said the district has had to speculate about how much money it will have for teacher salaries.
"It creates a hardship, because you have to wait and see. You can't really hire or fire without a budget. It makes it hard on everybody not knowing exactly how much money the schools are going to get," he said.
Daniels says even when the special session meets, he is going to be apprehensive about the amount allotted for education.
"Ultimately this affects the children. We have tried to make cuts that do not affect the kids, but we can't take the cuts, and we're going to have problems," he said.
If fewer teacher assistants are hired, then the teacher per pupil ratio will rise. "We try to keep it down, but it could expand to 27 or 30 children to the classroom. The certified teachers have to pick up the slack," said Daniels.
"The state has to step up and do its job. It is not the responsibility of the community to fund public education," he said.
Daniels says the worst-case scenario would be losing athletic programs. While the schools have not looked at that option yet, it's a possibility, says Daniels.
Leflore County School District has hired 190 certified school teachers for the upcoming school year. There are 19 vacant positions waiting to be filled, said Cedell Pulley, Leflore County superintendent.
Doug Segars, the county district's business manager, broke down the costs for a brand new teacher, one who is certified but has no experience.
The base salary is $29,177. Of this, the state pays $28,000. The district pays $1,177 plus benefits: Social Security, retirement and worker's comp. This amounts to $5,176. Then, the district provides health insurance. That costs $3,360. The total in state and district funds is $37,713.
Pulley said, "I am confident that a budget for our schools will be made, but until then we are just waiting.
"Our budget needs to be competitive with other schools. If not, our schools are going to lose some staff and programs."
