Hiring freeze likely for Lodi Unified School District

Lodi Unified officials are considering a hiring freeze and overtime cap to deal with reduced state funding, just a month after school board members decided to delay layoffs until next school year to balance the district's budget.

In Galt, high school district Superintendent Thomas Gemma said pink slips may be distributed come March because enrollment revenue is drastically down.

"We are looking at everything pretty conservatively," he added.

In addition to dealing with the current budget picture, both districts are also bracing for anticipated mid-year cuts from the state as the budget — adopted just three weeks ago — doesn't offer long-term solutions for how education is to be funded.

"We knew going into this school year there would be cuts," Lodi board president Ken Davis said. "The budget they passed in Sacramento doesn't address the issues at hand.

"Our worst fears have come true. We — all school districts, actually — are going to have to make some deep cuts. We've lost kids, but our expenses continue to go up as our revenue goes down."

Like Galt, at issue is Lodi Unified's unprecedented declining enrollment. Since the district receives per-pupil funding, if the drop in students stays steady, there will not be enough money in the budget nor enough students to keep all of the district's teachers for the 2009-10 school year.

At last count, the district was down 364 students from last school year and 515 fewer than budgeted, and the forecast for next year is even worse. Galt has seen a drop of 93 students since last school year. That forced the district to cut more than $500,000 from its budget, according to Gemma, who laid out the financial issues at Tuesday's school board meeting.

He is recommending another $700,000 in unappropriated revenue — part of which is typically used in contract negotiations — be placed instead in reserve for further state cuts.

If the board decides to lay off employees for next school year, the vote would be made in January and the pink slips distributed two months later under rules stipulated in employee contracts, Gemma said.

Other options include reducing the district's operating budget and increasing the number of students in math and English classes, according to the presentation Tuesday.

Last week, during its regular school board meeting, Lodi Unified trustee Calvin Young requested the district take a look at freezing all hiring — except in an emergency — and suspend any overtime hours.

Davis plans to meet with Superintendent Cathy Nichols-Washer and Young to discuss those concerns. A public budget study session is already scheduled for Oct. 28.

Davis said Lodi Unified is being proactive about what can be done at this time in calling for a hiring freeze, typically the step before layoffs. Teachers' jobs are safe at least until next year because of their contracts.

Exactly a month ago today, the school board voted against laying off teachers this year, but made it clear there will be layoffs next school year.

"It's no secret there will be layoffs," Davis said Wednesday.

Also at the Sept. 16 board meeting, trustees decided not to fill a number of already-vacant positions and trimmed the district's $200 million general fund budget by 2.5 percent.

On Friday, the California Association of School Business Officials warned members of cuts and told them to expect the worst. This caused many school districts to delay contract negotiations, develop contingency plans and protect cash flow until the state's financial problems are resolved.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was scheduled to meet Wednesday with high legislative representatives to discuss state revenue projection shortfalls.

Contact reporter Jennifer Bonnett at jenniferb@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

Pat Maple wrote on Oct 18, 2008 7:10 AM:

" Goethel, Amos and Richardson...no ties to special interests. Kitamura, Prouty, Parker, Oelsner and Pearson all have ties to the $4.5 million new Ag program at Liberty Ranch than serves less than 5% of the Distric population. 5% gets what it WANTS, 95% is left without what it NEEDS. THAT is why kids now pay to ride the bus and why they "pay to play". Ag takes a free ride with their Ag incentive grants. 85% of all discretionary funding goes to this one program...Ag. "

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smokeater8 wrote on Oct 16, 2008 9:38 PM:

" Interesting comment Pat. Since there are three seats open, who would be your third choice? Pearson, Goethel or Kittamura? "

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Pat Maple wrote on Oct 16, 2008 2:01 PM:

" Galt is down students? Guess where they went...to homeschool and back to Mexico. Gee...didn't see that economic challenge coming. After they split the schools watch for an even more dramatic drop...at Galt High. Dump the Board and fire the Superintendent Amos and Richardson will turn the tide. "

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edumacation wrote on Oct 16, 2008 7:59 AM:

" "...we have to make some deep cuts.

"...our expenses continue to go up as our revenue goes down."

AND WE FORGOT TO SAY"

Please add this---

"...and the Lodi Unifored School District gave a huge raise and a generous pension of ONE MILLION additional dollars to our interim temporary Superintendent."

Always remember this when you hear:

"...but its for the kids.."

Did this million dollar kiss on the cheek, help ONE child learn how to read? "

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