Iredell-Statesville board approves $3M in reductions; virtual academy program cut as part of package

The Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education voted 6-0 April 14 to approve a package of budget reductions and amendments administrators said are necessary to close a projected shortfall.

School leaders said the package, assembled after months of planning, reduces central-office and program spending, scales back supply allocations and eliminates the district's Virtual Academy in its current form. The board approved the cuts after a presentation from Superintendent Jeff James, Chief Financial staff and other administrators.

Administrators framed the reductions as an effort to preserve classroom services while balancing the district's budget. Adam Steele, the district's finance official, told the board, "Currently, we have just a little bit over $9,000,000 in fund balance." He said that after the approved actions the fund balance would fall to about $7.5 million if the…