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E-mail StoryBCSD anticipates loss of $19 million
| Tuesday, Feb 26 2008 10:10 PM
Last Updated: Tuesday, Feb 26 2008 10:25 PM
Deep cuts for the Bakersfield City School District could lead to the elimination of three administrator positions, an undisclosed number of teachers and staff, money for materials, $1 million in special education and $200,000 in transportation.
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BCSD is anticipating a $19 million funding shortfall for the '08-'09 school year as a result of the governor's proposed $4.4 billion in cuts to education, Teri Schallock, chief business official, said at Tuesday's board meeting. That's $740 per student less than full funding and $300 per student less than this year's funding.
Representatives from throughout the district implored the board to keep cuts as far away from the classroom as possible.
"We will lose incredible teachers if the threat of budget cuts looms over our heads," Jennifer Scott, an English teacher at Compton Junior High School, told the board. Her job is safe, she said, but her concern is for the impact that losing other teachers would have on students' progress.
Compton has made considerable strides after having been in trouble with the state, she said, becoming a role model for other schools throughout the district and state. But Compton could lose four teachers, she said, which would set back its progress.
While the board had no questions for Schallock after her presentation, board members expressed understanding to those who pleaded with the board.
"We are working with you people," Jerry Tate said. "And we'll do the best we can to meet this budget crisis. You can watch TV and read in the paper. It's real."
And Lillian Tafoya agreed to consider a proposal to sign a resolution in opposition of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget at a later meeting. It was offered by Carol Reichert, president of the Bakersfield Elementary Teachers Association.
Superintendent Mike Lingo said he will be joining other school district leaders throughout the state to lobby the legislature against such drastic cuts.
But in the meantime, Schallock said the district is planning for the worst while hoping for the best. It is implementing a new energy saving plan in the spring, cutting back on travel and reviewing all open positions before they are filled.