MEDIA ADVISORY FROM SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT: Superintendent Marten Available for Interviews about Governor’s May Revision to the 2015-16 State Budget

MEDIA ADVISORY
May 26, 2015

Superintendent Marten Available for Interviews about Governor's May Revision to the 2015-16 State Budget

Who:  San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Cindy Marten and available Board Trustees

What: Impact of Proposed State Budget to San Diego Unified's Proposed 2015-16 Budget

When: May 26, 2015
Interviews will be made available upon request; there is not a formal news conference planned.

Where: Eugene Brucker Education Center, 4100 Normal St., San Diego, CA 92103

Background: The San Diego Unified School District's Board of Trustees today will hear an update of anticipated impacts from the Governor's May Revision to the 2015-16 State Budget as it tentatively applies to the district's budget for the 2015-16 school year. The budget presentation will include comparisons of the January budget proposal with the May revision.

"We have made some serious investments in education as a priority for our students and classrooms despite a significant deficit," said Superintendent Cindy Marten.

Budget priorities, which were identified in December in advance of the Governor's preliminary budget proposal, included:
• Continued reduction of class sizes
• Increased counseling support
• Cost-of-living increases for staff
• Additional support staff to our schools with the greatest need
• Reduction of caseloads for special education and counselors
• Increased enrichment opportunities for elementary students

The Governor's May revision closes much of the district's deficit, down from $70 million to $34 million.

Some strategies being used to balance the budget for the 2015-16 year include reducing central office budgets by $8 million; increasing enrollment in high schools and early childhood programs; and improving the percentage of family survey cards regarding Federal Impact Aid and the Local Control Funding Formula, a strategy that, alone, could result in an increase of $5.5 million in additional revenue.

"With continued investments in education led by our governor, we will be able to continue to improve services and begin to balance the budget one year at a time," added Marten.

CONTACT: Ursula Kroemer| Chief Public Information Officer | San Diego Unified School District | (619) 725-7112 (Desk) | (760) 705-6919 (Cell)
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