More cuts are coming for Wake County Schools employees, but not for those in the classrooms.

Superintendent Del Burns announced Thursday that he is asking for $20 million in cuts from Central Services departments to balance the upcoming year's budget.

"We will have fewer people, fewer dollars, fewer services supporting schools going forward," said Burns.

Burns said Central Services is typically the first place to go for cuts, but last year, decreased state funding forced the school system to make cutbacks at the school level as well. The result? Increased class sizes in upper grades and fewer teacher assistants in elementary schools.

"We can't go back to schools, we're doing it within Central Services," said Burns. "The impact in Central Services will ultimately reach the classroom."

Central Services is the business side of the school system and includes functions like accounts payable, computer support, maintenance of school facilities and the school system's communications department.

Changes the school system must prepare for include:
• $8 million in discretionary cuts in state funding as part of the second year of the biennial budget;
• Anticipated increase of $6 million in employee retirement, hospitalization, dental insurance and local salary supplements;
• A reduction of $3 million available from system reserves to balance the budget
• And unknown expenses associated with growth and new schools.

During the recent school board campaign, several candidates complained about Central Services' funding and called for cuts.

"I respect his decision to make all these cuts in Central Services and to protect our teachers," said newly-elected board member John Tedesco. "This is what we've been asking for and I respect his willingness to work with us in this manner."

Burns cautioned that the cuts were not a "silver bullet" that will solve problems for the long term.

"This is a fiscal response to a very challenging budget year coming up," he said. "What we're trying to do is be very proactive, to get out early so that we can make the best decisions possible."

He expects to have an estimate of recommended cuts from his staff within four to six weeks. The final budget will be presented to the Board of Education in early March.

The school board will work through the recommendations and submit their request to the Wake County Board of Commissioners by May 15.