Fund cuts worse than thought

Educators cringed when they first heard Gov. Schwarzenegger's proposed budget cuts.

Now that they have had a few weeks to let it sink in and calculate the numbers, Kings County's chief of schools realized local institutions may be in for more trouble than he had originally predicted.

Schwarzenegger proposed a 1.3 percent reduction in dollars funded for schools for the 2008-2009 fiscal year, from the current school year. The reduction in K-12 funding means a 10 percent reduction from the budget that had been previously projected for the 2008-2009 year, under provisions of Proposition 98.

John Stankovich, superintendent of Kings County education, initially projected that the cuts would mean $7 million less for the county's schools in 2008-2009. But county education staff members calculated the numbers, and recently discovered that the loss of revenue would be closer to $10.9 million less than what the county's schools had planned for.

That reduction would mean county schools receive $3.9 million less for 2008-2009 than they received in 2007-2008, which would immediately pose financial hardship for 50 percent of local schools.

Over the last few weeks, many local school districts have discussed how a reduction in state funding would impact them. Julie Semas, of Pioneer Union Elementary School District, said that although she hopes Schwarzenegger's proposal is the "worst case scenario" and that the negotiated finality will hurt much less, she is exploring where the district could cut that wouldn't hurt the students.

College of the Sequoias is also researching the least destructive ways to possibly cut spending. And Hanford Elementary School District trustees decided on Wednesday to continue participation in a reserve program that could serve as the district's saving grace next year if Schwarzenegger's proposals come through.

Stankovich told members of the county education board on Wednesday that the governor's proposal is a "lethal injection to public education." California schools already receive about $1,900 per pupil less than the national average.

Stankovich said the cuts may require districts in the county to lay off a number of teacher, counselors and other staff, as well as consider elimination of non-required programs like art and music. He added that cuts may force some schools to raise the average class size.

"Legislators should develop a balanced budget that makes education funding, and investing in California's future, a priority," Stankovich said. "Anything less than that is a disservice to our children."

Stankovich encouraged community families and schools to contact state legislators and stand up for education.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2424.

(Feb. 9, 2008)