Newport’s primary schools are set to receive £600,000 as many face budget overspends this year, with most schools dipping into reserves.
Out of 44 primary schools, only nine are not expecting to go over budget. That’s a pretty alarming number! Many schools will have to dig into their savings just to keep things afloat.
Secondary and special schools are feeling the pinch too. They’re all bracing for overspending by the end of March. The total deficit could hit nearly £3.8 million, which is a huge concern for the council.
Cllr Dimitri Batrouni, the council leader, mentioned that he’s seen firsthand the financial struggles schools are facing. He’s committed to supporting them as much as possible. They’re not just throwing money at the problem; they’re also offering practical help to manage budgets better.
Cllr Batrouni and Cllr Deb Davies plan to visit every primary school this year to chat with headteachers about their challenges. Cllr Davies expressed pride in the schools and the quality of education they provide, despite the financial strain.
While the £600,000 won’t fix everything, the council is looking to boost the schools budget by £11 million in April, which should ease some of the pressure. They’re also avoiding any cuts to school budgets for the next year, which is a relief.
A public consultation on the council’s budget proposals is open until February 5, so there’s a chance for community input.
