New Bedford Schools Facing A $3 Million Dollar Deficit

That was the announcement today by school officials in New Bedford. They said the $3 million shortfall is because 55 positions were not put into the budget.

The problem was discovered during an informal audit. Mayor Jon Mitchell said this crisis is the result of an antiquated system that has failed for a long time and allows big problems to occur. The Mayor also said that he doesn't yet know how the deficit will be made up. He added that lay-offs could happen, but that they would not be particularly useful at this time.

School officials outlined some of the problems, which include tracking employee days-off on 3x5 flash cards, 3 different computer software systems that do not share information, a budget that doesn't allocate funds for overtime, and a system that budgets employees by names instead of by position.

One of those positions not included in the budget is that of an elementary school principal.