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The Lodi Unified School District Budget Advisory Committee meeting was brought to an abrupt end Wednesday night when Lodi Fire Department Battalion Chief Jeff Larson determined that the maximum occupancy of the board room had been exceeded. (Dan Evans/News-Sentinel)

Hundreds turned away during talks on Lodi Unified School District budget woes

By Jennifer Bonnett
News-Sentinel Staff Writer
Thursday, February 12, 2009 6:12 AM PST

Comments (34 comment(s))

So many parents, students and teachers turned out Wednesday for Lodi Unified School District's Superintendent's Budget Advisory Committee that it was shut down early by the fire department.

Superintendent Cathy Nichols-Washer rescheduled the meeting for tonight at 5:30 at a yet-to-be-determined location.

Battalion Chief Jeff Larson said an anonymous caller notified fire dispatchers, who in turn sent firefighters to check that the over-capacity claim was accurate. He estimated there were 450 people inside a room allowed to hold 152.

People lucky enough to get inside the regular school board meeting room at the district office were standing in the back and sitting on the floor or on tables around the room for more than an hour.

However, in that time, 13 speakers provided ideas to trim the district's budget, including the elimination of all extracurricular activities, equipping portables with automatic utility shut-offs, eliminating benchmark testing and even shortening the school week to four days to save on the cost of transportation and electricity.

Emma Garcia, a Julia Morgan student, came armed with a petition signed by more than 130 of her peers that agreed the district needed to retain physical education and art programs. "Without that, how do you expect us to be the best students we can be?" she said.

The committee's meetings are usually open to the public, but this was the first time this year that public comment has been allowed.

Members are tasked with providing budget cut recommendations to Nichols-Washer, who can then take ideas before the board of trustees who will make the ultimate decision in balancing the district's annual budget.

Wednesday's meeting was attended by three school board members, including Vice President Calvin Young, who commented on how many people showed up. "Given the turnout and the magnitude of what we're facing, it's impacting a lot of people," he said.

The school board has already approved closing Turner Elementary School and laying off 45 people in the district's administration office. After that series of decisions, the district is still facing a $21 million deficit heading into next school year, due to declining enrollment and lack of funding from the state, which still hasn't passed a budget.

Comments on the school budget crisis

"If library personnel are cut ... to whom will students turn to when they need help on a term paper?"
— Anne Cecchetti, Lodi Unified instructional department

"With the increased class sizes, counseling services will become more needed."
— Paul Waren, Millswood Middle School counselor

"We understand the status that we're all in, but this is affecting the students. They are under stress, their families are under stress."
— Erica Contreras, Lodi Unified elementary and middle school counselor

"Who else knows everyone in our schools? P.E. teachers, music teachers. We understand things are going to get cut, but these are most important."
— Tim Shepherd, Davis Elementary School principal

"When you make your decisions, think of the people of color."
— Lester Patrick, Lodi Unified school volunteer

Superintendent's Budget Advisory Committee at a glance

  • Members include seven community members, two of whom are chosen by the superintendent, as well as union representatives , high school students and two school board members.
  • The committee typically meets twice a month, on the second and fourth Wednesday, at the district office.
  • The meetings are open to the public, but are not governed by the state's open meeting law and therefore speakers are not usually allowed.
  • The committee is merely an advisory group and provides recommendations to the superintendent, who may take them to the school board for a vote.
    Source: Lodi Unified School District

    • Contact reporter Jennifer Bonnett at jenniferb@lodinews.com.

    Reader Feedback

    Robb wrote on Feb 18, 2009 9:29 PM:

    " Pay should NEVER be tied to education, I personally know several IDIOTS who have doctorates.. "

    Report Abuse

    Robb wrote on Feb 18, 2009 9:27 PM:

    " Give everyone a simple test, from the superintendent down, whoever fails, fire them.

    But that would never happen, way more than 300 would go..;) "

    Report Abuse

    Gator wrote on Feb 16, 2009 10:37 AM:

    " eye spy!! The classes for special needs Children are mandated by the Federal Government
    got that this time spy!!! How was your reading and comprehension by the way?? "

    Report Abuse

    govagent wrote on Feb 13, 2009 7:27 PM:

    " Hi Lodian, its good to have time to read paper! And yes I know personally about this topic. Well Im sure they can be at home with parents or a babysitter, which will save funding, but the other person on here said they are federal funded. Im trying to think of ways to help the children who will need an education to be able to survive in real world. I is nice to here from you Lodian, God Bless you! "

    Report Abuse

    Science8c wrote on Feb 13, 2009 11:33 AM:

    " While a 10% across the board pay cut may make it a little more difficult for some teachers to cover their bills, the idea of letting over 300 teachers go is unthinkable. The alleged purpose of school is to educate the kids, not provide hot meals, bus rides, pens paper and teach basic manners. Parents' they're your kids, you provide their sack lunches and get them to school, make sure they have pencils, paper and binders and take responsibility for their behavior.This isn't a welfare system. We need to have teachers in the classrooms with students who are ready to learn. "

    Report Abuse

    Lodian wrote on Feb 12, 2009 10:46 PM:

    " sam: Did your kids go to the Lodi public schools? Just curious. "

    Report Abuse

    Giovanina wrote on Feb 12, 2009 9:45 PM:

    " Mr. Patrick represents the NAACP, and is really only concerned about Blacks.

    The reason for the low number of colored people in education is that they tend to look for higher paying careers, or they become ethnocentric lobbyists, like Mr. Patrick. "

    Report Abuse

    loadeye wrote on Feb 12, 2009 6:45 PM:

    " Contrapasso, I think you have many of us on the same train of thought and I think you're right on. Why should the kids suffer because many of those unneeded jobs created in the admin office were just courtesy or favor positions because Lodi and LUSD were flush with goverment money to throw away. Now that times are heading into a depression if everybody doesn't cut back now. There's two more years of this, so quit the fun and games and take care of business. Heads need to roll in administration and everyone needs to cut wages and benefits back by 5-10%. "

    Report Abuse

    Contrapasso wrote on Feb 12, 2009 4:26 PM:

    " Hey Sam: I am a one income teacher and I really would have major difficulty surviving with a 10% cut. The cuts need to come from the top. I guess I might be biased, but from where I stand, the fat is at the top (in the district office). Did you know that there are clerks there who make more than teachers? And I mean at 7000 to 10,000 dollars more? I am not trying to demean the clerks, but pay should be commensurate with education at a school district....shouldn't it? "

    Report Abuse

    sam wrote on Feb 12, 2009 4:18 PM:

    " When property values were soaring, LUSD lived high on the hog. Now things are lean, and LUSD has to get mean. Cut back on quite a few administrators and then go after wasteful spending.

    It is time to readjust the budget to match this lean economy.

    ... OR just do a 10% salary cut for EVERYONE emloyeed by them. "

    Report Abuse

    loadeye wrote on Feb 12, 2009 4:04 PM:

    " It's about time the public is getting educated and informed and now voicing their opinions and attending these meetings to show their dissatisfaction on how our leaders, not only LUSD, but city council, LEUD, Chamber of Commerce, DLBP, Wine & Visitors' Center and any other group that squanders public monies of any kind while this economy is sinking. And two more years, at least, even as they admit they don't know how they're going to handle even higher cuts the next two years, LUSD needs to completely get rid of the pork altogether and then make the real cuts from the top down. No one should be immune. There are capable school administrators that're out of work across the country that'd snap up Ms. Nichols-Washers' job for $100K easily. This needs to be done realistically with all sharing the burden, to avoid any layoffs (corporate America refers to them as firings) both on the paycheck and furloughs. Let's show some of the spirit and sharing of once livable, lovable Lodi? " "

    Report Abuse

    Contrapasso wrote on Feb 12, 2009 4:01 PM:

    " govagent: I believe those children are federally funded. They do not impact the state funds. And besides.....what you suggested sounds a little like Hitler's policy towards the handicapped.....yuck. "

    Report Abuse

    Lodian wrote on Feb 12, 2009 3:55 PM:

    " govagent: Now there's a name we haven't seen around here for awhile. And after reading your asinine comments I can see why you ducked out for awhile. You advocate taking away from the most helpless children in society? Sure, that will solve everything. Where would you have these children go? "

    Report Abuse

    govagent wrote on Feb 12, 2009 3:19 PM:

    " Yes I know how money can be saved, cut the handicap classes! Its not right for tax dollars to go for teachers and aids to baby sit when ther are childen who will need the education. Im talking about the severly handicap who will be on state or federal money for life. Bed ridden, wheel chair ridden, mentally unable to do anything. I see this as money that can go towards able body kids who need education for their future, they will not be getting govenment money. I am not picking on handicap just stating the facts of life. There are 2 to 4 classrooms with 2 to 4 teachers, and 1 aid per student in each school. if there are 10 students there will be 10 aids on top of the 2 to 4 teachers per classroom. This is a waste of talent and money, I know Im in the classoom everyday and see what goes on. How many schools in Lodi? how many special severly handicap classrooms? and teachers, and aids? go figure! " "

    Report Abuse

    Contrapasso wrote on Feb 12, 2009 2:20 PM:

    " Wileycoyote: I think I love you!! That's the best suggestion I have seen yet. "

    Report Abuse

    wileycoyote wrote on Feb 12, 2009 1:04 PM:

    " Cuts are simple, 1. Move LUSD offices to a portable, and convert their "palace" into a School. 2. Fire anyone whose job description includes " assistant" or "associate" along with all their staff. 3. Legislate the salaries of the "administrators" so that NO "administrator" can be paid more than the LOWEST paid Teacher. 4. Cancel all administrator PERKS. Or at least the above would be a "good start" ... "

    Report Abuse

    loadeye wrote on Feb 12, 2009 12:27 PM:

    " MadDog, that's the sanest thing I've heard yet. A child is a child, no matter what color. The Lodi community brought many of these immigrants here themselves for their cheap and often under the table paid work force. They thought it was cool to have all the workers anytime they needed them. So as the Dakota farmers passed away, those beautiful, old eastside homes became the eastside where the immigrant workers were welcomed with open arms, as long as they stayed on the eastside and didn't cause any problems. Ask your now elderly city leaders why many of them were involved in making the eastside the dumping ground for them and let the eastside go to crap? They didn't care then and they don't care now. Now it's their responsibility to clean up the eastside and educate the children of those hard working immigrants they and their parents brought here for their cheap labor force. These immigrant laborers made many of them wealthy and created all those cush jobs at LEUD that have no purpose nor justification, and now it's time to dissolve those cush jobs and get down to business. "

    Report Abuse

    loadeye wrote on Feb 12, 2009 12:17 PM:

    " Jerry, LUSD may use the same system the city council and manager of Lodi do. Any invoice under $5000 is merely signed by King or Johl, no questions asked. Only one figure, no explanations or even receipts have to be shown unless questioned as an unneeded expense. It's like the snitch tattling on the rat! I hope this starts a revolt against these greedy, moneymongering higher paid authorities who are the ones that vote themselves raises and perks behind closed doors, like those 7AM Tuesday morning council meetings or those LUSD wine and massage weekends at Wine&Roses. Let's have a citizen board, made up of eastside residents and low income residents and require EVERY expenditure, no matter how small, to have a receipt before being submitted to this citizens' approval committee before being reimbursed a penny. Mayor Mounce asked for the accountability at a council meeting last year and the three ayemeegos and Hitchcock-Glenn quickly dismissed it as a joke. Will Hitchcock-Glenn take a cut as both an LUSD employee and a city employee? No more reimbursements for any LUSD or city employee no matter how small without receipts. No more free lunches for anybody without prior approval. "

    Report Abuse

    Oh Bull ! wrote on Feb 12, 2009 12:08 PM:

    " Cut the fat from the top! don't take away anymore from our kids they are the future generation that is going to have to clean up the mess that the STATE is in.
    Those of you that sit here and blog need to go the LUSD web site and email all the govenment/state legislature's that you elected and tell them to get of their rear and relaese what is going on outside the state capitol. CUT THEIR PAY until they sign a budget. WE ALL NEED to contact them and let your voice be heard we elected them and they work for us. Need I remind you that they are ALSO sitting there getting paid,car allowance,meals, cellphones travel and more! LEAVE THE KIDS AND SCHOOLS ALONE ! THEY ALREADY NEED MORE as cuts have already been made to our classrooms. Tothose of you wondering NO I"M NOT a school district employee either. I'm a parent that is involved with my childrens school and have been to several board meeting to better inform myself of what is going on. "

    Report Abuse

    Mad Dog wrote on Feb 12, 2009 11:58 AM:

    " Regarding the issue of "color". I actually agree with that person. I saw no one in attendance that was green. Just because someone is an illegal alien from Mars does not mean that they should be discriminated against. Little green men have rights too! Little green women don't yet. Sorry. "

    Report Abuse

    Lodian wrote on Feb 12, 2009 11:34 AM:

    " shockedinlodi: The meeting is at 5:30 p.m. tonight at Hutchins Street Square. "

    Report Abuse

    dogs4you wrote on Feb 12, 2009 11:27 AM:

    " loadeye you state that the meeting was made up of lily white folks, maybe those lily white folks are more concered, also the doors were open to anyone that cared to attend. "

    Report Abuse

    blossom wrote on Feb 12, 2009 10:56 AM:

    " jerry yes, it is true and RUFKM you are correct also. They need to cut the FAT salaries that are killing LUSD not the workerbees.
    what a bunch of crap!! Divide and conquer! "

    Report Abuse

    Jerry wrote on Feb 12, 2009 10:35 AM:

    " Is it true that Lodi's Superintendent is paid $230,000 per year and receives a $750 car allowance? Where can I find the 2009 District budget?

    Has anyone looked into what these administrators cost the District in cell phone bills, meals, entertainment, travel? There must be some sort of documentation regarding these numbers,yes? "

    Report Abuse

    RUFKM wrote on Feb 12, 2009 9:34 AM:

    " That is a 20% cut of all teachers in LUSD.

    I would like to see a cut of at least double that percentage at the DO, and then see how many teachers we must cut.

    Not one salary has been eliminated that earns more than $125K+ per year. Will that ever happen? "

    Report Abuse

    shockedinlodi wrote on Feb 12, 2009 9:30 AM:

    " I am sure someone from LUSD called the fire chief. So where is the new meeting tonight? anyone know so we can attend? or are they keeping to themselves so we don't show up again. The 365 teacher cut is not acceptable. "

    Report Abuse

    loadeye wrote on Feb 12, 2009 9:25 AM:

    " Private schools, home schooling and vouchers are the answer. Give all students the choice of school they want to attend, not just the well-connected, wealthy and star athletes. Force these school board administrations to be accountable. Today, they're like a seperate corporate entity run to generate profits and high-paying jobs through the system of nepotism, favoritism and who you know. Administration should be slashed by 50%, with that money concentrated on hiring and keeping good teachers, keeping the schools and grounds maintained, and providing a good in classroom learning experience. "

    Report Abuse

    RUFKM wrote on Feb 12, 2009 9:20 AM:

    " A lot of elementary teachers in the K-3 will be getting cut, because of the removal of class size reduction.

    Those 14.5 administrators will not be at the district office, but administrators that keep our schools a safe place.

    It is time to find out who actually works in the DO. Is it really necessary to have a primary assistant super and a high school assistant super?

    This is just one example of the many jobs that could be condensed or removed completely. "

    Report Abuse

    Lodian wrote on Feb 12, 2009 9:16 AM:

    " Time for vouchers? Private school? How much longer can we fight this garbage? "

    Report Abuse

    loadeye wrote on Feb 12, 2009 8:38 AM:

    " Isn't Hispanic the majority in Lodi now? Why so many wealthy, well paid white folks still running everything in this town that only delegate for the other wealthy well-connected upper echelon whites? Why are all the poor and discriminated minorities in Lodi wedged onto the eastside, where they're literally unheard, unseen, and never mentioned in the local paper? My belief, are you an old North Dakotan? This isn't a race issue until you made it one. Show me those lily white wealthy folk that have made this such a naive racially divided town it is. It looks like the whole meeting were lily white folk. Grow up and get with today's real world. "

    Report Abuse

    Contrapasso wrote on Feb 12, 2009 8:25 AM:

    " The latest word is that 365 teachers will be cut, but only 14.5 administrators. Lodi parents please let the district know that this is completely unacceptable!!!!!!! "

    Report Abuse

    karensays wrote on Feb 12, 2009 8:03 AM:

    " While it seems fruitless to attend meetings where you are ignored by the deciding body, I still think it's important for people to go because maybe somewhere along the line they will finally realize that people are unhappy with the current status quo.

    And yes, SHAME on Mr. Patrick - which color exactly should be considered? White is a color too, lest we forget it's the KIDS who need to be considered here, not colors. Please! Haven't we moved past that already? "

    Report Abuse

    hellsbells wrote on Feb 12, 2009 7:17 AM:

    " People are wasting their time going to this meeting. Go to the board meeting Tuesday instead. This is only an Advisory committee with no real power and only gives input. The board really doesn't listen to the advice.
    PS It funny how the sup leaves to take a message comes back and in with a few minutes the fire department comes in. Gee, I wonder how called the fire department. "

    Report Abuse

    my belief wrote on Feb 12, 2009 6:32 AM:

    " As quoted above "When you make your decisions, think of the people of color."
    Lester Patrick, Lodi Unified school volunteer
    Excuse me, but what? Shame on you Mr. Patrick for trying to turn this into a race issue. These cuts affect all colors. "

    Report Abuse

    Comments on this story are now closed.

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