Broward School District Superintendent, Jim Notter, during a CNN interview on Wednesday referred to the financial situation affecting Florida’s public schools as “Absolutely catastrophic.”

The state’s schools, including those in the Broward School District, have been plagued by budgetary problems over the past few years, and face even harsher problems this year. The possibility of effective state financial assistance is not encouraging, with state legislators faced with a budget deficit of over $3 billion.

Broward School District faces a deficit of up to $100 million this year.

Notter said that because of school districts’ dependency on public funds mainly from sales and property taxes, which are declining, other means should be found to fund schools. However, he admitted to having no idea what the alternatives would be.

He told the interviewer that in response to the recent nationwide demonstrations to cuts in education due to budgetary problems, he has tried to take a “surgical” approach in reducing the Broward School District’s budget, instead of using a “hatchet” approach by focusing on cutting teachers’ jobs. In this context, the school board has cut some $10 million in the budget by decreasing administration expenses and merging some district offices.

Notter did not mention that despite not wanting to cut staff, it might be unavoidable, as the Broward School Board tries to balance the upcoming budget. However, south area superintendent, Joel Herbst was reported as saying, there is nothing left for the board to cut but human capital.

Other proposals raised by the Herbst, which could reduce popular school electives like physical education, art, and music include: schools in the same zone sharing teachers of electives and specialty teachers serving as consultants on how to incorporate electives into the general curriculum.

When parents found out about the possible changes to teaching electives, they sent angry emails to board members telling them electives are critical to the general, rounded education of students.

While another meeting is to be held next month for the school board to hear more budget-cutting proposals, Florida parents and students have planned to demonstrate against state budget cuts for education at the state capital in Tallahassee on March 25.

Although it has been reported that most School Board members do not support cutting electives, they may not have an alternative. Under state law, districts are required to teach English and mathematics, therefore electives like Spanish and the arts risk being expendable in budget crunches.

Jeanette Clarkson, a parent of three Broward middle school students, who plans to attend the next budget-reduction proposal meeting, said what is taking place, is the emergence of “educational self-sufficiency” where it will be the role of parents, like in the old days to teach their children music, appreciation of the arts, and see to their physical fitness at home. “The fact is, despite our outcry, public funding is disappearing.”