There are any number of topics that make sense for me to blog about, but since the thing I seem to be struggling the most with currently is the financial future of our school system, I believe it is important for me to begin sharing it with you. We can't get away from the fact that the current fiscal situation on a local, state, regional, national, and international level is not good. It has become very clear with recent news stories and editorials that the governor and legislators are looking at somewhere in the range of a six billion dollar deficit as they begin the budget process. It has also become clear that public schools, regardless of what the state constitution says, will not be immune from the cuts necessary to reach a budget resolution.
What we don't know is the depth and breadth of what those cuts will be. The two that seem to be of most interest are Initiatives 728 and 732. I-728 is the class size initiative that we and most other systems have come to rely upon as basic education dollars not enhancements. In our district this is approximately 3.2 million dollars that we use to hire 33 teachers, support summer school, student interventions, and staff development. If this were to be cut it would have a very significant impact on the culture of our school system.
I-732 is the COLA initiative that currently would be providing an approximately 4% cost of living raise for staff. Historically, this initiative has not been funded at it's mandated level when state revenues have been short so this is again a potential cut. What makes these attractive as cuts is that together they would save about 1.45 billion dollars, approximately 25% of the deficit. If I were a legislator it would be difficult to ignore these potential cost saving measures. It will be important for us, however, to find vehicles to convey the negative impact this would have on public education across the state.
The potential of state cuts is compounded by the fact that we are already in the process of finding ways to balance our projected 2009-10 budget. Beginning this process, we knew that we would need to make cuts to meet our contractual obligations with our employee units and to make up the difference between inflationary increases and formula driven revenues. That process will be ongoing as we plan for the potential of even greater cuts.
The rumors and stories in our system have already begun though we have made no decisions and have only recently initiated the budget process. I will periodically provide updates as we learn more about the revenue for next year and begin to identify where savings are possible.
It is unfortunate that we must now also face these issues while continuing to build upon the learning communities we are developing. Our vision and mission to prepare young people for success after graduation will continue to be the driver for what we do and I thank you for your efforts and commitment.
2 comments:
While this is obviously a difficult problem to be faced with, the eternal optimist in me sees something of a silver lining.
As copy budgets are reduced, teachers will be forced to find cheaper/free alternatives, like using SWIFT.
As department budgets are reduced, we will have to trade in tri-fold boards for free SlideRocket presentations, or swap out cut-and-paste art projects for Photoshop projects.
While budget cuts are obviously difficult, my hope is that we as a profession will have to become more efficient with the resources we do have and get kicked into the 21st century.
Budget cuts are always difficult to face and even we as individuals in our own budgets are having to make tough decisions in order to make the books balance in our personal lives. The Tahoma School District has always been one that in my opinion has been fiscally sound and does not hourd money as we often see in other school districts.
I agree with what thehurt says when they discuss ways that the new and wonderful technology that we have in Tahoma can help us begin being more resourceful with the expenses that may no longer be needed.
As the inevitable budget cuts come I am confident that Tahoma will make choices that will have the least impact on our students and that it will be handled with careful planning and execution. It will be a tough winter of tough decisions.
Post a Comment