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ETV Announces Layoffs
Wide Array of Measures Taken
Following $2.3 Million Budget Cut in State Funding

For Immediate Release
December 4, 2008

Columbia SC…ETV announced Thursday that as a result of a significant reduction in state funds, 15 positions would be eliminated. The staffing reduction was deemed essential in dealing with the over 14 percent decrease in ETV’s state funding, enacted on Nov. 7.

That reduction equates to $2,341,657.

Additional actions undertaken by ETV to address the situation:

• The elimination of 28 temporary positions

• A three-day mandatory furlough for all employees between now and June 2009 (amounting to a 2.3 percent decrease in pay)

• A Voluntary Separation Plan offered to all employees, to stimulate attrition and the possible saving of some full-time positions

• A reduction in general operating expense categories including travel, equipment and supplies, and facility costs

“These were very difficult decisions that had to be made," said David Crouch, interim president of ETV. “The reality of the budget situation is that our state funds no longer support our payroll, and we have had to make the necessary adjustments. In the long term, ETV has a very important role to play in helping advance education, culture and citizenship in South Carolina. However, in the short term, we have had to make some painful decisions.”

Budget Facts:

• ETV’s state budget for FY 08-09 was $16,542,970. The reduced budget is $14,201,313.

• About two-thirds of ETV’s total budget comes from state funding, which pays for salaries and facilities' costs. Programming for ETV and ETV Radio is paid for by the ETV Endowment.

• Approximately 72 percent of ETV’s state funds are spent for employee salaries & benefits.

South Carolina ETV is the state's public educational broadcasting network with 11 television and eight radio transmitters, and a multi-media educational system in more than 2,500 schools, colleges, businesses and government agencies. Using television, radio and the web, SCETV's mission is to enrich lives by educating children, informing and connecting citizens, celebrating our culture and environment and instilling the joy of learning.

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For more information, contact Rob Schaller at (803) 737-6556 or rschaller@scetv.org.