MEDIA ADVISORY -- Barnett to Announce Plan for Reorganizing District Finances and Restructuring Governance

MEDIA ADVISORY from the San Diego Unified School District, May 9, 2012

BARNETT TO ANNOUNCE PLAN FOR REORGANIZING DISTRICT FINANCES AND
RESTRUCTURING GOVERNANCE

WHAT: News conference with Scott Barnett, Subdistrict C representative

WHEN/WHERE: 11 a.m. Thursday, May 10, 2012, Education Center, 4100 Normal
St. (92103)

SUBJECT: In the light of severe budget cuts planned for next school year,
SDUSD Board VP Scott Barnett will discuss a proposed process for
reorganizing SDUSD's finances and restructuring the school district. He
will be announcing a proposed plan and process.

"It's time for all of us to accept the truth: we are insolvent and must
act," said Barnett.

BACKGROUND: In response to additional state budget cuts and $50 million in
contractual salary and other spending increases for the 2012/2013 school
year, SDUSD is facing an estimated $122 million shortfall in its $1billion
budget. In response, the SDUSD Board of Trustees has issued over 2600
layoff notices, and plans to sell $20 million in surplus property in a
depressed real estate market and further reduce the District's reserves.
The layoffs will result in significant increases to class sizes in all
grades, a major reduction in nurses and counselors, and severe impacts to
all school sites.

Trustee Barnett will be announcing tough but realistic proposals to
address this crisis and he will discuss the following issues:

-- Layoffs
-- Insolvency
-- Sale of land assets in a depressed real estate environment
-- Possible restructuring including breaking up SDUSD and significantly
increasing Charter Schools
-- Enlisting the participation of the Mayor of the City of San Diego, the
Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, regional education leaders and the
State of California.

Contact: 619-857-1857

Note: Trustee Barnett will not be available for interviews prior to the
press conference.

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