News briefs for April 8: Savannah-Chatham School Board faces $37 million shortfall

SCAD

The 29th annual Sidewalk Arts Festival features, for the first time, a Web site for virtual concrete artists this year. All current SCAD students and alumni are invited to create their own works of art online. Online registration for the Sidewalk Arts Festival, slated for April 24 in Forsyth Park, opened yesterday.

Entries for the Cyberwalk Arts Contest will be accepted April 12-22.

Local

The Savannah-Chatham School Board got a shocker Wednesday when it looked at budget projections for the 2010-2011 school year. With an anticipated drop of $10 million in local revenue and other cuts at the state level, the school board will need to reduce expenses by $37 million. The board will consider cutting a number of programs: middle school sports, crossing guards, music and arts.

These reductions, though, won’t be enough. Members may consider a millage rate increase, adjusting salary scales and giving up 10 paid holidays. The School Board will meet again to discuss the budget shortfall from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. April 14, at the Whitney Administrative Complex.

Nation

What rolls around every 10 years and has a major impact on where new schools, roads, and other public services are provided?  <Ding, ding> We have a winner: the U.S. Census.

All students should stand up and be counted by completing and returning census forms when they are received. For those students living on campus, census forms will appear in your campus mailbox. If you do not return the form, the university will be asked to provide the requested directory information on your behalf, to include your full name and campus address.

If you prefer that SCAD does not release this information, you may opt out by contacting the registrar’s office.

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