$2.8 million in cuts needed

Galt Joint Elementary School District parents, principals and teachers came up with lists of ideas on Thursday to save money next school year, including reducing the number of library clerks and rotating them among campuses, and trading minimum days for a full day off every other week to reduce transportation costs.

The district is projecting a combined $2.8 million budget deficit for 2010-11 and 2011-12, and is soliciting ideas and input from the public to deal with it.

More than two dozen attended Thursday's meeting, while 45 parents came to the Spanish-speaking forum Tuesday, according to administrator Donna Mayo-Whitlock.

"We can't wait," Superintendent Karen Schauer said of the district's efforts. "We've got to start a conversation right away."

Participants split into four groups and discussed during the so-called "Table Talk" forum ways to save money in the next school year. Among the other recommendations:

Having teachers share crossing guard and yard duties instead of paying additional employees.

Unifying with the high school district to save on administrative costs.

Moving the district office from its owned office space to the former Fairsite Elementary School campus and renting out the commercial property for increased revenue.

Those who attended Thursday's forum were also asked to provide input on what to do with Fairsite. It is currently being used as a preschool. Some recommended renting the site out to social or religious organizations, or maybe even as a charter school.

The school board will study the cost-cutting recommendations in January, with an ultimate budget vote set for June.

"We want to be very open about the cuts ... and stay as far away from the classroom (as possible)," Assistant Superintendent Jim Bauler said.

Last year, the elementary district cut $3.4 million from its $33 million annual budget by creating employee furlough days, making cuts in the maintenance department and increasing some class sizes. All vice principal positions at the elementary level were also eliminated.

Lodi Unified School District, too, is preparing for a multimillion-dollar deficit for next school year, due partly to balancing the current year's budget with one-time federal stimulus funding.

About 28,000 education jobs in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 were saved statewide by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, according to the California Department of Education.

Lodi administrators are currently estimating an additional $20 million-plus must be realized before the 2010-11 school year budget is passed in June. Superintendent Cathy Nichols-Washer said recently there will surely be more layoffs than in the current year, and a similar public forum is scheduled for Nov. 4.

Contact reporter Jennifer Bonnett at jenniferb@lodinews.com.

Next steps

Galt Joint Elementary School District will hold a second "Table Talk" community forum at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 12 in the McCaffrey Middle School multi-purpose room, 907 Park Terrace Drive, Galt.

Meanwhile, both School Site Councils and the District Advisory Committee will examine the public input over the next two months.

In January, the school board will hold a study session with a separate public meeting scheduled for Jan. 27.

News-Sentinel staff

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