Continuing to deal with the local impact of the state financial crisis, the Board of Education on Tuesday night approved the second interim report on the 2008-09 budget and projections for 2009-10 and 2010-11.
The second interim report reflects the District’s response to the state’s decision − midway through the school year − to withhold nearly $4 million in funds that already had been budgeted. It includes the elimination of four management positions, as approved by the Board in February, and three temporary teaching positions. It also includes freezes on hiring and overtime, except in emergency situations, and a reduction in Strategic Plan funding and budgets for materials and supplies.
In conjunction with the approval of the multi-year projections, the Board approved the elimination of 8.5 counseling positions and four more management positions (including a technology manager’s position that will be replaced with a classified technician’s position). To balance the 2009-10 budget, the District also plans to eliminate staff development days, staff middle school and high school classes at 30:1 instead of 29:1, and reduce classified positions, pending consultation with the local leadership of the California School Employees Association.
In response to recommendations from employees, parents, students and other community members, other reductions have been pushed back as long as possible, to 2010-11. They include elimination of class-size reduction programs, K-8 home-to-school transportation, school resource officers and stipends for after-school activities, as well as the closing of an elementary school. Pushing back those reductions will give the District as much time as possible to find alternative funding, such as a parcel tax.
Also on Tuesday night, the Board:
● Approved the release of temporary and intern employees and the non-re-elect of six probationary teachers (nine others resigned).
● Approved the potential reassignment of four elementary school assistant principals, pending whether site enrollments meet established staffing ratios.
● Recognized Emanuele Elementary School teacher Shawnetta Jones, who has published a children’s book, “My Mother Doesn’t Look Like Me,” illustrated by Emanuele parent Linnette Tompkins-Johnson.
Agendas of regular Board of Education meetings and minutes of past meetings are available on the District website: www.nhusd.k12.ca.us
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