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Speakers address Lodi Unified School District budget shortfalls, plea to keep programs
Dozens of speakers raising their voices, signs and even fists at times gave the Superintendent's Budget Advisory Committee a laundry list of programs they don't want to see cut.
It was the first opportunity the public had to address Lodi Unified district's estimated $20 million budget shortfall for next school year.
Committee chair Tom Powell opened the meeting by welcoming attendees to the 2008 budget advisory committee meeting, an irony not lost on teacher George Neely.
"Here we go again," he said at the beginning of his address to members.
For the second year in a row, the district must once again cut programs, partly because the board opted to balance this year's budget with one-time federal stimulus money. Those funds saved a number of jobs and programs, including keeping class-sizes relatively small compared to other districts, according to Superintendent Cathy Nichols-Washer.
About a fourth of the estimated 200 people that showed up to Wednesday's meeting spoke. They included teachers, union representatives, community members, business leaders and a portion of the McNair High School football team.
Several groups of elementary students, too, addressed the advisory board with pleas to keep specific programs.
"We keep asking ourselves, is this the last year we're going to have P.E.?" said Elkhorn student Gabriel Moton, who also identified himself as the son of a physical education teacher. "Please do not cut P.E. We look forward to it, and if you do, school will just become another chore, and we have enough of those at home."
Another student recommended finding ways to raise more money, including allowing businesses to advertise on the sides of school buses.
The advisory committee has already begun discussing ways to balance the 2010-11 budget, with some members making public at the last meeting items they wanted considered for cuts, according to Nichols-Washer.
On Wednesday, Lodi High Athletic Direct Erin Aiken said she was under the impression serious cuts could be made to sports, but cautioned against it.
"If sports programs are eliminated, we would lose students and no ADA would be secured," she said of the claim that athletes have higher attendance rates than non-athletes, which brings revenue in for the district. At Lodi High alone, she said, that annual average daily attendance figure is $172,000.
Among the other recommendations made by speakers at Wednesday's meeting:
Budget calendar at a glance
The Lodi Unified School District board of trustees recently approved a budget calendar. Here are the highlights:Nov. 18: Superintendent's Budget Advisory Committee meeting.
Nov. 23: Preliminary enrollment projections to be prepared by the district's chief business official.
Dec. 8: Board expected to approve budget guideline modifications and receive reduction recommendations from Superintendent Cathy Nichols-Washer.
Jan. 11: Governor's proposed budget for upcoming school year to be released. Board report scheduled for Jan. 19.
Feb. 1: District staff will be notified if layoffs are required.
March 10: Possible Superintendent's Budget Advisory Committee meeting.
March 26: District's director of budgets will complete review of individual budgets.
May 4: Superintendent's Budget Advisory Committee report to the board.
May 24: Proposed budget prepared for superintendent and her cabinet for final review.
June 1: Public hearing and approval of 2010-11 budget.
Source: Lodi Unified School District
Heritage Primary Elementary parent Angela Ortiz, flanked by four young children, is concerned with the possible elimination of P.E., music and library programs.
"There are a lot of children that are obese," she said through a Spanish translator. "As for music, it helps them relax when they are nervous or are going to take a test."
The well-attended meeting was not quite as contentious as one in February to balance the current year's budget. The board ultimately approved issuing 390 teacher lay-off notices and cutting non-essential programs, including cell phones for some administrators.
At least five of the seven school board members attended Wednesday's meeting — including trustees Calvin Young and Bonnie Cassel, who sit on the board — and former trustee Peter Johnson, whose children attend local schools.
Former industrial arts student Valerie Pennino started her address to the committee by campaigning to keep industrial arts programs intact, but turned her attention toward the district's future and whether her toddler son would be part of it.
"Unfortunately, because of these cuts ... private schools are more desirable," said the Bear Creek graduate and former student of Paul Guthrie, who also spoke at Wednesday's meeting. Partly due to what she learned in his class, she went into the architecture business.
The committee's recommendations will come before the school board early next year with the board's ultimate vote in June.
Lodi Unified is not alone in getting an early start to closing its budget deficit for next school year. Galt elementary school district administrators began meeting with the community last week to solicit input on how to deal with its shortfalls, while the high school district is scheduled to discuss a similar advisory committee at its regular meeting Tuesday.
Contact reporter Jennifer Bonnett at jenniferb@lodinews.com.
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ElBombero wrote on Nov 6, 2009 5:36 AM:
Hmm wrote on Nov 5, 2009 8:06 PM:
shockedinlodi wrote on Nov 5, 2009 8:01 PM:
Did she think before making this comment? "
roni95242 wrote on Nov 5, 2009 7:58 PM:
We must stick together and demand more! "
takealook wrote on Nov 5, 2009 6:48 PM:
roni95242 wrote on Nov 5, 2009 6:29 PM:
Barbara Johnson left the District because her job was being cut but, then re-instated.
I just dont get it for 1 position they could keep 5 teachers or Classified staff.
Teachers and Classified are cut to the BARE minimum!
LUSD cannot function if they cut anymore.
They need to Make deep deep cuts in the top brass!
Get rid of the wated positions and be fiscally responsible with taxpayer money!
The sup of LUSD makes ore money than the President of the United States!
That is almost criminal! CUT AT THE TOP! TRIM THE FAT! "
Hmm wrote on Nov 5, 2009 6:15 PM:
Hmm wrote on Nov 5, 2009 6:11 PM:
shockedinlodi wrote on Nov 5, 2009 5:59 PM:
wtf wrote on Nov 5, 2009 11:23 AM:
wtf wrote on Nov 5, 2009 11:23 AM:
Reviewing the need for assistant and associate superintendents. More than one speaker sought justification for the position of assistant superintendent of planning and facilities when no new schools are being built.
Especially when taken in conjunction with your post on the salary jumps of over $5,000 per Assistant and Associate Supervisors, Hmm. "
wtf wrote on Nov 5, 2009 11:20 AM:
Following up on a request last year to justify every position in the district office.
Reviewing the need for assistant and associate superintendents. More than one speaker sought justification for the position of assistant superintendent of planning and facilities when no new schools are being built.
Consolidating smaller schools to save money on administrators. "
Hmm wrote on Nov 5, 2009 10:58 AM:
http://www.lodiusd.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=287&Itemid=83
Very interesting to look at District Office salaries. Notice the following:
**Sup salary went down, but 2 secretaries pay from 59K in 2007-2008 to 64K in 2009-2010(p.57)of 338 page report.
**Associate Sup salary went from 157K in 07-08 to 164K (p.58) His secretary 51K to 59K.
**Asst Sup K-6 salary 137K to 143K, secretary 52K to 60K (p.65)
**Asst. Sup 7-12 salary 137K to 143K, secretary 60K to 64K. (p.71)
**Asst. Sup Personnel 137K to 143K, clerical average 58K to 64K (did cut 1 position) (p.124)
**Chief Business Officer 139K to 160K, secretary 56K to 61K. (p.134)
**Technology Svc Classified Admin 111K to 122K.
Why are cuts happening at the school level but not at the District Office level? Cuts to valuable programs will have a very negative long-term impact on all of our children, while the D.O. not only reinstates promised Office cuts, they gave huge pay raises between the 2007-2008 and 2009-2010 school years to virtually all top level administrators, while cutting teachers. How does this help my child? "
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