BUDGET CUT FOR CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR TOTALS $48 MILLION; BOARD MEETS TODAY ON PLAN FOR 2009-10
As the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education works today to cut nearly $100 million from the proposed 2009-10 school year budget, here is a recap of the actions taken Saturday, March 7, 2009, to reduce the budget for the current, 2008-09 school year.
Updated budget information from the state of California resulted in the Board voting to cut an additional $15 million from the current year's budget, bringing the total cut from the 2008-09 school year budget to $48 million.
This year's district budget, approved in June 2008, was based on funding figures from the state of California. In February, the state voted to close a budget shortfall by, among other things, reducing this year's funding to San Diego Unified.
The district is still receiving information from the Governor's office on just how much its budget has been cut and the numbers may continue to change.
"It's very frustrating for us, and we know it's frustrating for you," Superintendent Terry Grier told the Board.
At the meeting, Deputy Superintendent Chuck Morris said staff has made every attempt to work with principals to take care of their needs for the current school year. Any unforeseen financial impacts will also be addressed, even with the budget cuts.
"We will make every attempt to take care of that need," he said.
The Board is required to certify by March 10 that it has enough funding for this year's budget; Saturday's action will ensure that.
On March 7, the Board cut more than $15 million from the 2008-09 budget, with contributions coming from the following programs:
-- Arts and Music Block Grant (Ongoing), $2,544,221. Funds from the Teaching Artists Program and grade level Arts Experiences Project would be reduced. The program funds visits by students in grades 2-8 to performances and exhibits off-campus, as well as providing books, supplies and musical instruments. Impact: The funds cut come from past-year surpluses and funds not spent or committed for the 2008-09 school year.
-- Arts, Music and Physical Education (One-Time Cuts), $1,780,000. This was a one-time allocation by the state to San Diego Unified for support of the Visual and Performing Arts and Physical Education programs. It included purchases of instructional materials, equipment and professional development. Impact: Schools will have fewer funds for Visual and Performing Arts and Physical Education programs.
-- CA Peer Assistance and Review, $501,307. Program assists teachers who have received an unsatisfactory evaluation; no new funding has been added to this program for more than five years.
-- Discretionary Block Grant, $1,520,031. These funds were left over from the 2006-07 school year. Impact: Schools could have used the funds for one-time items such as supplies, educational materials or any efforts to close the achievement gap.
-- English Language Acquisition Program, $1,240,583. Funds allocated for this school year's programs will not be impacted; funds were cut 15.38 percent by the state.
-- GATE Discretionary, $750,000. Funds are used at principal's discretion for items such as supplies, field trips, and teacher training. Impact: Funds allocated for this school year's programs will not be reduced; cut comes from past-year surpluses and a 15.38 percent cut by the state.
-- Instructional Gardens, $159,531. Funds from the California Instructional Garden Grant. Impact: Affects approximately 30 schools with school gardens.
-- Nell Soto Parent Involvement, $355,713. Grant-funded program. Impact: Reduces available funds for home visits of at-risk students.
-- Supplemental School Counseling, $3,431,365. Funds are from past-year surpluses in the AB 1802 Middle and High School Supplemental Counseling Program. Impact: 2008-09 program is fully supported.
-- Targeted Instructional Improvement Block Grant (TIIBG) Spending Freeze Balances at Schools, $3,100,000. Surplus funds from past years used for extended-day activities, supplementary classroom salaries, instructional supplies, noon-duty supervision and other items. Impact: Funds already committed for activities this year not affected.
On February 10, the Board approved more than $33 million in cuts, including:
-- Workers Compensation Fund: $4.5 million. Claims have decreased over the last two years due to changes in the law and programs implemented by the district.
-- Freeze Vacant Positions: $6.2 million. The 264 vacant positions will not be filled.
-- Redevelopment Agency Fund Shift: $6.3 million. School custodians in redevelopment areas will be charged to funds received from the redevelopment agency.
-- Ending Reserve Spend-Down: $4 million. A one-time use of funds left over from prior budget years.
-- Central Office Savings: $7.7 million. Purchases of big-ticket items such as school buses will be delayed, travel expenses reduced and savings on hourly employees.
-- Developer Fee Cost Adjustment: $150,000. By law, districts are allowed to use 3 percent of developer fees for administrative expenses.
-- Expenditure Shift from General Fund Unrestricted to Categorical Resources: $4.35 million. In anticipation of state budget issues, the district analyzed what expenses were being funded through the general fund that could be assigned to categorical funds -- those earmarked by the state or federal government for specific uses.
The Board will continue to work on next year's budget, which may be as much as $100 million less than anticipated. For a list of future meetings, go to http://www.sandi.net/indices/board.htm
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