The Wake County School Board gave its approval today to its first layoffs - 22 positions will be eliminated among staff that supports the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).

"The change in the bond-funded positions is forcing this. When we had to change our capital plan, it changed the funding for projects, program management and so on," said Burns. "And it is not a discussion I want to have, but we have to be fiscally responsible and manage the funds that we do have."

According to Chief Financial Officer David Neter, 13 of the 22 positions are already vacant and an additional position will be vacated when an employee retires. Eight current employees will be identified by June 16 and will lose their jobs.

The Capital Improvement Program was funded by the school bond sales for construction. After county cutbacks earlier this year, school construction project timetables were extended. Chief Facilities and Operations Officer Don Haydon said that made for less work at any given time.

Neter added that he anticipates another reduction of 10 to 15 positions in October, and the potential for more layoffs in early 2010.

Positions funded by CIP include not only positions in construction and design, but also positions that support the program, such as accounting. Neter said the reductions will ultimately reduce the CIP overall force by half of what it was in the peak of the 1990s.