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Guilford County commissioners turned up the pressure gauge on school officials Thursday, telling them to produce some tentative budget figures in the next two weeks.

"Our timeline wasn't March 15," a visibly frustrated Schools Superintendent Maurice "Mo" Green said. "I was supposed to present a budget April 10."

A select group of commissioners and Board of Education members met Thursday morning to review budget issues and procedures.

The meeting was tense at times as commissioners demanded the schools take a hard look at costs and spending. Schools officials say they won't have firm numbers for some time yet.

In addition, Green said, the commissioners' demands come just as he is trying to roll out a broad strategic plan for the schools. That plan will have its own financial impact.

Guilford County allocated $232.8 million to schools last year. Commissioners are pressuring the school board - and all county departments - to create new budgets that do not raise spending.

The school system gets about 60 percent of its budget from the state, so it's hard to figure out what it will need from the county until the state spending is clearer, Green said.

Green did say the school system should be able to manage for the rest of this fiscal year with the funding it has. Last fall, it had to return $3.8 million to the state due to state-mandated budget cuts and because student enrollment was less than projected.

Green said in a typical year he would welcome working on the budget this way and getting numbers to the county commissioners early, but this year he is attempting to rollout his strategic plan for the school system, an effort that itself is requiring major budget work.

Green noted the stimulus package recently approved by Congress will also likely affect the school system's budget.

Commissioner Bruce Davis, who serves on the budget review committee, said his board expects to see some effort by the schools to reduce spending.

"If we're going to make it through these tough times there are going to have to be some tough choices," Davis said.

The Boarda of commissioners announced this week it is cutting 35 positions including 10 layoffs, to save about $2 million.

Commissioner Kay Cashion emphasized that whatever cuts school officials come back with she wants to see how it will affect students.

The committee will meet again March 12 when Green presents recommendations for potential budget cuts.

Contact J. Brian Ewing at 373-7351 or brian.ewing@news-record.com