Our Choice

A couple months ago amidst the economic turmoil there was a proposed stimulus package from President Barak Obama and in this package Education would be receiving a substantial amount of money. Unfortunately when this money is broken down the actual amount that the schools get will have little impact on the current proposed budget cuts.
It should also be noted that this plan has an extension of up to five years. With that said, Mrs. Lauzon mentioned she and the JUSD Board, are preparing their budgets for the economic atmosphere to remain dismal (Mrs. Lauzon), and she states in the Meeting Agenda (p. 5) there will be a “$14.4 billion dollar temporary revenue, $11 billion of borrowing along with several constitutional amendments (aka the stimulus package). The total cuts to education are approximately the same level as originally proposed, but instead of the entire amount coming from the revenue limit funding, it has been split between categorical funding and revenue limit.” (JUSD Board of Education Meeting Agenda) So in essence, the stimulus package will really only ease the minds
The bottom line is that though at first glance the stimulus package may seem like an answer, the reality is that our schools need considerable more support than what they are receiving. This may not come in the form of more money given to them by the Federal Government, but instead I believe we should recycle the resources we already have, and cut wasteful spending.
When education’s financial security is on the cusp of ruin, it would be wise for all states to carefully make sure they are not simply leaping out of the frying pan into the fire. And instead have a clear, thought out plan of execution, in order to insure their institutions do receive the monetary backing, they were promised. So instead of burying our head in the sand hoping the budget crisis will vanish if we pretend it is not there, we need to claim back our children’s futures knowing we are setting a standard of excellence for years to come. The choice is ours.

In Response to JJE's Question...

This very issue came up at the JUSD Board Meeting I attended. From everything said, as of yet no, the JUSD superintendent is NOT taking any pay cuts. Which is especially troubling when there are a lot of teachers who are being "pink-slipped". One such teacher has been a part of the district for 15 years and now finds herself jobless. I am sure she, and a lot of other teachers would have been willing to take a temporary pay cut, rather than losing their job completely.

JUSD Budget Information

I would like to show in this blog the powerpoint presentation the Jurupa Unified School District (JUSD) presented at their Board of Education Meeting on March 2, 2009. I believe the public should be informed about what the current status of the budget cuts are in regards to their children's education.

    Mid- Year Cuts 2008/2009

• Original Proposal from Governor would have cut $5,900,000 from the unrestricted General Fund (ongoing).
• The approved State Budget cuts $3,700,000 from the Unrestricted General Fund and $1, 500, 000 from categorical projects (ongoing).

2009/10 Budget Cuts

• Original Proposal from Governor would have cut funding by an additional $2,500,000 from the Unrestricted General Fund (ongoing).
• The approved State Budgets cuts an additional $1,000,000 from the Unrestricted General Fund and $1,500,000 from Categorical projects. 

   Flexibility Provided

2008/2009 to 2012/2013

The State’s budget provides flexibility to-

• Use categorical 07/08 ending balances from specific programs.
• Use current year entitlements from specific programs.
• Reduce contribution to Routine Maintenance from 3% to 1%.
• Eliminate District Match to Deferred Maintenance Fund.

    Class Size Reduction Flexibility

• The State Budget includes some flexibility through relaxed penalties for classes over 20:1.
• There are some issues that still need to be addressed regarding this flexibility and the implementation requirements by grade level. This issue is being addressed and as soon as there is clarification districts will be able to make final recommendations to the Board.

 SUMMARY OF JURUPA'S CUTS/REDUCTIONS   2008/2009 mid-year cuts:

• $3.7 million from the Unrestricted General Fund (ongoing).

• $1.5 million from Categorical Project Funding (ongoing).

• Total Loss of $5.2 Million

2009/10:

• $4.7 million from the Unrestricted General Fund (ongoing).

• $3 million from Categorical Project Funding (ongoing).

School Money Bullies?

We all grew up facing bullies wanting to steal our lunch money, money that was rightfully ours given to us.  We were often the smaller kid, the one who was an easy target for the bigger kids-- the one that most likely would not say anything-- too scared of the ramifications. The stronger, more powerful bully would be the one who could hold over our heads the weakness we felt, and take from us, something that was not theirs. Sadly, it appears that those bullies just grow up to be even BIGGER bullies, taking money from an even weaker kid. Instead of even facing their prey, these bullies simply take from their weaker opponent without the opponent even knowing it is happening. And the smaller one is left without any type of defense against this attack.

Such is the current state of our public schools, including the Jurupa Unified School District. The proposed cuts in such areas of Instructional Materials Fund, Bilingual Teacher Training, and High School Coaching Training, are just a few programs listed as subject to budget cuts. Yet recently, with the recent pass of Barak Obama’s stimulus package, the JUSD is supposed to be receiving $14 million dollars. Where is this money going? Into the waiting hands of our children in need of strong academic programs? Apparently not. But instead it is being grasped for by the hands of the stronger force, who also happens to be the adults put in charge of our children’s needs.