Parents Advocate League Update
by Julie Collier

CUSD held a Budget Workshop on Nov. 12. It was an informal meeting with the trustees, Supt. Woodrow Carter and Ron Lebbs (Deputy Superintendent). The district had a PowerPoint presentation outlining the potential cuts for midyear (they think between $17 million and $34 million) and the 2009-2010 school year. Audience members were invited to present suggestions.  

Supt. Carter explained they have until Dec. 15 to figure out the cuts. They will make the final decisions by the Dec. 8 board meeting (mark your calendars). The budget is changing every day with the state. The following points were made: 85 percent of the budget at CUSD is in salaries and benefits; money from reserves can be used, but it has to be replenished the following year (the future looks just as bleak); enrollment is up at CUSD this year.

The following are the "Potential Reduction Estimates" for 2009-2010 by the district:

Discretionary Options

• Adding three students to grades 4-12 = $8.25M (a new number: previously adding one student to these grades was discussed)
• Eliminating CSR in 3rd grade = $1.4M
• Eliminating CSR in K-2 = $.945M
• Site- 25% Supply Reduction = $.335M
• Rent from the "C" Building at the district = $.650M

Negotiated Options (Union Negotiations)

• No Salary Increase 08/09 = $5.6M
• 1% Salary Roll-back = $3.0M
• Furlough Day = $1.37M
• Step Freeze = $3.66M
• Cut Elementary Music Block (4-5) = $2.00M

Politically Sensitive Options

• Close Elementary School = $.45M
• Cut Co-Curricular Athletics (includes salaries, stipends, transportation) = $2.08M
• Cut Co-Curricular Activities (includes above) = $1.195M

Mid-Year Cut presentation:

Mid-year cuts are certain

• Projected impact to CUSD based on state budget/Gov's proposal = $17M (08/09 school dist.)
• Reductions needed to maintain fiscal solvency and 2% reserve = $11M
• Cuts to expenditures = 2.7%

Sample of Expenditures:

Certificated Salaries $211.1M
Classified Salaries $59.5M
Admin. Salaries $20M
Benefits $75.6M
Books/supplies $18.4M
Utilities $9M
1% Salary Increase 3M

1 Day of School Operation $1.63M (It was discussed that if there are furlough days at the end of this school year, the school year would end June 5, 2009)

Current CUSD Response

• Scrutinize eightened spending
• Hiring freeze – all positions are reviewed at the cabinet level (although the district just hired two more directors at the district level)

CUSD Strategy

• All districts are facing similar challenges
• Cuts will impair district’s ability to deliver instructional program
• Scale back under hard times
• Shortened school year

Discussion with Trustees and Audience:

Trustee Bryson: "Things look very grim; prepare for a worse budget: everything is on the plate." She wants all consulting firms cut from CUSD. 

Trustee Palazzo wants a zero-based budget; believes this is a time of crisis; expect difficult and new experiences.

Trustee Christensen worries cuts are worse than we expect; the worst place to take from is the classroom; suggested district runs like a corporation that cuts administration; teachers are the production staff and students are the product-do not mess with the product; he would not approve a salary cut for the teachers unless the union (CUEA) brings it to the table.

Trustee Addonizio strongly opposes furloughs; wants cuts to be far from students; reduction in salaries-do not want to lay-off teachers; wants dist. to review vacation policy; opposes cuts to maintenance

Kim Anderson PTA Leg. Chairperson: PTA approved advocacy agenda that wants small class sizes for grades K-12. (Different than last year when PTA advocated for small class sizes for 4-12).

Parent at Tesoro: Stated that the district administration should take an 11% cut in salary and asked to sell the district building.

Incoming Trustee Mike Winsten wants all dept. heads to show and account for a 10% cut in their departments; wants all ideas to be on the district website with a blog so parents can offer ideas and debate them.

Trustee Candidate who ran in the Nov. 4 race, Andrea Kooiman, offered ideas from parents in MV (use categorical funding, CUSD Foundation look for donors; use a central copy center at the dist.; parents have efficient Booster clubs; freeze overtime pay; temperature regulators; rebates from utility companies).

The next Budget Workshop is Tues., Nov. 18, at 6 p.m. They will be discussing more administration cuts and special education. I would encourage you to attend and voice your opinion on what should be cut and what should not be cut.
 

As you may have noticed, missing in the budget discussion was heavy administration cuts. Many of the cuts mentioned will directly affect the classroom. CUSD is in the business of educating children. It is my opinion the cuts made at the school district must be far from the students and teachers who teach them. Cutting teachers’ salaries and increasing class sizes will negatively affect teachers and, therefore, negatively affect students.

Our district administration has the responsibility to our students and must work in their best interest. They need to think of new ideas outside of the classroom. The district administration can work without district cars, extra vacation days and some staff members. If our teachers and students have to clean lunch tables and desks, vacuum, and take out the trash, so can the district administration. It is time the parents step up and hold the district administration responsible for the choices for our students.