Thursday, June 21, 2012

Budget Approved: Now the Hard Work Begins

On Tuesday, my Board colleagues and I unanimously approved the budget for the coming fiscal year, which starts on July 1.  The budget allocates about $58 million to operate our 13 schools and serve the projected 7,900 students.  Due to careful fiscal management over the past few years, we were able to mostly roll over our budget from this year and proceed without making any cuts to services or personnel.  This budget reflects the values of the Board of Trustees and the district under the constraints of our current funding level.

Our annual revenue from the State of California has dropped by $9.6 million over the past 5 years.  As a result, we have been forced into survival mode, which has led to reduction in services, staff, and educational opportunities for our students.  Some examples of the cuts include increased class size at all grade levels, shorter library hours, fewer hours for front office staff, fewer counselors, reduction in custodial services, and loss of many summer programs.  At the same time, our Special Education encroachment costs continue to rise (our obligation to educate students with special needs is growing and becoming more expensive).  

The State Legislature has passed a budget for next year that makes no cuts to education funding.  However, their budget depends on the passage of Governor Brown's tax initiative in the November election.  At this time, the projections are that schools will face cuts of about $440 per student mid-year if the initiative fails.  For Berryessa, that would mean a loss of $3.5 million.  

Such cuts, especially coming mid-year, would be devastating to the future solvency of our school district.  Major cuts would be required.  Amongst the drastic measures that may be required would be increasing average K-3 class size to 30 students and reducing the school year by 10 days.  

Given the uncertainty and the difficult choices the district would face if the initiative fails, the Board will be holding monthly study sessions in the fall to set priorities for possible cuts should they become necessary.  Our first study session will be held on the evening of Tuesday, August 7. 

To see the approved 2012-13 budget, click here.