News 12 @ 11 o'clock -- June 30, 2009

AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. --- The Aiken County Board of Education has been racing against the clock to balance the budget for the upcoming school year.

"With all the changes coming in, not getting funding, sales being down. All those things played heavily all year long,"said board member Levi Green.

And it's been a year like never before for board Vice chairwoman Rosemary English. "It's the toughest we've ever had to deal. We never have ever talked about 4 day weeks, layoffs and not being able to rehire our retirees. It's been frustrating,"said English.

In an effort to save money for the district, the board decided not to furlough teachers. But instead, increase class sizes except in 4,5 and 7 th grade; which they plan to reduce by one. They also plan to decrease the budget for supplies and alternative program funding. And finally decrease funding for the IB program to only 50,000 dollars instead of the previous 350,000 dollars.

"We were able to balance it and try to protect as many things as possible. Class size, we haven't had to furlough yet and that's really important,"said Superintendent Dr. Beth Everitt.

"When you have tough times and you really have to stand firm and make tough decisions, you come out stronger and have a more effective program in the long run,"said Chairwoman Dr. Christine Harkins.

"It's finally over and we pray that we've done the right thing,"said English.