The largest share of the district's financial problems stem from the Governor's resistance to increasing taxes [or at least reinstating the taxes he eliminated] to balance the state budget. Instead, he is relying on cuts. Some of these are large cuts, like refusing to fund Prop. 98 funding guarantees which will cost the district $1.5 million this year and next. Some of these are small cuts, like eliminating mandated cost reimbursements, but the cumulative effect of small cuts adds up. The total cost is over $10,000 per classroom over this year and next ($5,000/year).
When the State reneged on its promise to fully fund K-12 education, it hit our district very hard. Despite the fact we cut $12 million we still don't meet the requirements for the budget to be approved by either the County or State. Furthermore, costs the district has no control over, like health care, have increased dramatically. To survive financially, the district is proposing that employees share the cost of health care like many so companies and other school districts have done in recent years. The district will still be paying the largest share of the benefits by far and will contribute more than any district in the County.
You don't have to. The County Office of Education gave our budget a "Qualifed" status, meaning they are worried about our ability to meet our obligations. You can look at FCMAT's comments. You can read the Auditor's report. In each and every case they express their concern about our balancing the budget.
Everyone agrees—our district has serious financial problems.
And when a contract is agreed upon, it must be approved by County Office of Education along with a budget showing how the district will meet its financial obligation this year and the following two years.
The School Board is willing to make further budget cuts to help our teachers. These cuts will not be from teachers. Since Measure B both pays for and promises more teachers to reduce class size, more will be hired. Therefore, the cuts will have to come from other staff and programs.
No! In addition to the salary increase offered by the district, the district is proposing to pay all the money it paid this year for a teacher's health care [$3,737 single, $7,474 couple, $10,576 family] plus an additional amount. Teachers will also receive the step and column increases built into the salary schedule.
Is caring about the budget for next year caring about teachers?
Yes! If the District can't balance its books and goes bankrupt, a state-appointed administrator will replace the Superintendent and remove the School Board's authority to make decisions. That administrator will only care about one thing—balancing the budget. This will not benefit students or teachers.