The Hamilton County School plan to reduce $20 million in expenses includes closing 21st Century Academy and Howard Middle School.

The plan to balance the budget that was presented to the County School Board and a finance task force also includes cutting 25 assistant principals and 105 instructional personnel.

The plan includes $2 million in cuts from the central office.

A number of facilities are to be closed, including the 40th Street office site (the old Lookout Junior High School).

Even with all the cuts, officials said they are still $678,580 short of balancing the budget.

Tommy Kranz, finance director, said the reductions "don't solve our problem. This is just a bandaid."

He said the schools need $20 million in maintenance, but that is not included.

There are also no dollars included for pay increases.

The plan includes taking $4.5 million from the fund balance.

There would be a delay in buying new science textbooks.

21st Century Academy is K-12. Supt. Jim Scales said the school has about 500 students with stagnant growth. He said it is an older building that needs maintenance. He said there are some capacity issues.

Current 21st Century students would attend either their respective zone or receive preference at Tyner Middle School and Tyner Academy.

The savings in closing 21st Century Academy would be $786,096.

Students from Howard Middle would be rezoned with East Lake Academy and Orchard Knob Middle School.

Several black members of the finance panel raised concerns about closing two inner-city schools.

Mr. Kranz said the second phase of school closings would involve seven schools that are not inner city.

Kenny Smith, board chairman, questioned whether there is time to close the two schools before the start of the next school year in August.

George Ricks, board member, indicated he might lead a protest of the Howard closure. He said, "I'm a good organizer, and I believe in swing, baby, swing."

Closing Howard Middle would save $327,790.

Dr. Scales said Howard Middle is in deplorable condition and is not adequate for middle school students.

Other facilities to be closed include Piney Woods, the Garber Elementary site and the Oakwood Child Care site. All three along with the offices from 40th Street would go to Howard Middle School space.

Before talking about the school closures, Mr. Kranz said, "Here comes the heartburn. Please don't shoot me."

Mr. Kranz said sales tax collections had been expected to rise $500,000, but he said the projected drop is $1,192,326 due to the bad economy.

Chairman Smith said, "We are going to look at every single one (schools for possible closures). We are not going to pick districts. That is why there may not be time to do it right."

He added, "It's got to be done, but it's got to be done right and not picking on any group."

Dr. Scales said steps may also be taken to start building the long-planned new elementary school in East Ridge. He said there still has not been a final decision on whether it will be for 600 students or large enough to handle both East Ridge Elementary and McBrien Elementary.

He said steps are also being taken toward building the planned Red Bank Middle School.

The budget includes squeezing $7,517,500 in savings from items that include the delay in buying textbooks, retiree medical benefits, instructional reserve, Signal Mountain School, East Hamilton School, utilities, special education contracts, transportation and insurance.

Jeff Olingy, finance panel member, said all schools need to be examined on the closure issue, and there must be a fair process applied equally to all. He said when that happens, there should be less of a public outcry about closures.

Mr. Kranz said the county schools may get some funds from the Stimulus Bill, but he said it will be restricted funds and not the budget solution for the schools.