The Galt Joint Union High School District published its reduction in services resolution on Friday. It is subject to Board approval at the February 28 meeting. The cuts in staff and services amount to 9.8 FTE. (Click on the title of this post to see the details).
Keep in mind that according to the independent auditor, the District has a reserve of over $3.6 million. It also has $330,000 in a fund set aside for capital improvements that it can sweep into the general fund. Furthermore, the $440,000 federal jobs money--which the District has not yet spent--is listed as an expense on the projected budget this year because it is a one-time flow of income that must be spent. On a related note, the District has already swept $400,000 in Tier III funds into the general fund and has a proposal on Monday's Board agenda to increase Frosh English and math classes to 28:1, which would allegedly save over $100,000. It is not clear whether the District has factored those savings into the composition of its Resolution to reduce services.
Most alarmingly, however, is the lack of any cuts to management on the resolution. The concept of shared sacrifice between management and the certificated and classified employees is totally lost on the leadership of this Distirct. Over the last several years the full-time FTE for teachers and classified has been reduced through attrition and lay-offs but if you look at management FTE, there is little change.
All of the District's figures are based on a worst case scenario. It would be helpful and uplifting to also see a budget based on a better-case scenario. Most Districts are doing that and the county office of education is suggesting that Districts do that. However, our Distirct is refusing to do that and would rather harm the students of this District by increasing class sizes and reducing services. What a shame!
It is important that we get ready to support the June propositions to extend tax increases and to support the education of our students.
