ST. LUCIE COUNTY — Expecting state lawmakers will make good on a prediction of 10 percent less support for public education next year, St. Lucie County school officials are turning to the district’s 5,000 employees for ideas on how to cut spending instead.

Schools Superintendent Michael Lannon is asking workers to submit their cost-saving ideas to budget@stlucie.k12.fl.us.

Tuesday, he and School Board Chairwoman Judi Miller also announced there will be two town hall meetings at 6 p.m. at the Fort Pierce Central High School auditorium to discuss budget cuts. The first will be Feb. 26. The second will be March 31, after the School Board meets to consider employee compensation for next year.

“To date, legislators have been reluctant to increase revenues to address this (school funding) crisis,” Lannon said in a letter sent to all employees Wednesday. “Therefore, we have no choice but to begin planning ways to reduce our budget for the 2009-10 school year.”

By James Kirley, TCPalm.com

Judi Miller

Michael Lannon

FORT PIERCE - St. Lucie County School Board Chairwoman Judi Miller and School Superintendent Michael Lannon have invited members of the public to have coffee with them this month.

Miller and Lannon will hold the first coffee meet-and-greet at 8 a.m. Jan. 26 in the community room at Fort Pierce Central High School, located at 4101 S. 25th St.