As I'm sure you are all aware from information recently released by the media, the state is again predicting a budget shortfall. Education is half of the state's overall budget, so the impact to the public schools is great. In addition to decreased state revenue, the Board of Education had negotiated a percentage increase for teachers and putting back the furlough days for next year. This will result in our largest projected shortfall to date - in the rage of $122 million.
Mr. Kowba, our district superintendent, met with principals last week to detail our worst case scenario. The Board has approved additional cutbacks to central office, some one-time sales of real estate, and increased class size. In addition, our school site's overall budget was cut by 4.68%.
Our Priorities:
At La Jolla Elementary School, our School Site Council, Friends of LJE, Inc., the PTO, the staff, and I have discussed the priorities at our school and worked together to make budget decisions that reflect those priorities.
- Our first priority is to maintain our current class size. We have 24:1 ratio in grades K-3, and high 20's to 30 in grades 4 and 5. As we get more data on a final site budget, Friends of LJE, Inc., will consider using reserve money to fund full-time teacher's salaries and benefits. This would result in a very similar class size to what is now being experienced.
- Another important priority is to maintain supports to our classrooms. We have had learning centers and support teachers who assist in pull out programs and "push into" classrooms to be an extra pair of hands. While our priority is smaller class size, we will maintain some form of support to classrooms.
- Another priority is to provide a well-rounded education for all students by providing art, music, technology and library instruction. Friends of LJE, Inc. is committed to continuing these programs. At this time, we have no information concerning instrumental music for grades 4 and 5.
- Other budget decisions:
- We will continue to staff our office with two clerical positions.
- We will continue to receive the same amount of Special Education support.
How will our priorities be funded? Our foundation, Friends of La Jolla Elementary, Inc. has reserve funds due to the generosity of our parent community and receiving unexpected district funding for technology. They had set aside an amount for new computers each year that the district's Prop S funding is now providing. While we are pleased to be able to work through this crisis this year, our fundraising must be strong this year and in future years to sustain this kind of support.
What You Can Do to Help:
We will need your support of our fund raising efforts more than ever in coming years as the amount of support needed from our foundation to fund three additional teachers is more than 50% higher than past years. The foundation's budget (i.e., fundraising needs) going forward will be in excess of $600,000 per year.
Our next event is the gala and we hope that we can count on your participation in whatever form you are able: attendance at the event, underwriting opportunities and donations.
Our weekly Open Aire Market is an important funding source for our school as well. Please support it with your patronage. (It is every Sunday on the upper field, Girard Avenue side, from 9:00 - 1:00 p.m.)
We are fortunate that we have strong fund raising efforts at our school. We hope that parents now, more than ever, will support them. You can also go on the district website (www.sandi.net) to get further information on contacting the legislature to work on funding education differently. Please consider visiting the Education Issues Action Center page to learn about key issues and to communicate your opinion with our budget representatives.
Thank you for your past and future support. Together, we make a difference in the kind of education that we can provide our students.
Donna Tripi, Principal
