FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) on Budget Reductions

Prepared by Robert Flach, Chief Financial Officer, August 2002

Q: What is happening to the broadcasts on the cable TV Channel?

A: There is a need to reduce expenditures to balance the operating budget (M&O). The most important criteria for decisions is to reduce indirect service to students first. The TV broadcast does not provide direct service to students. A year ago, there were four employees in the TV department. As staff left, they were not replaced. The total reduction includes personnel cost, maintenance of equipment, and supplies, which were budgeted at $182,780.

Q: Are there any budget reductions in administration?

A: Yes. Central office reductions began last fall. Reductions to date total $724,000. Additional reductions are being made by not replacing assistant principals who leave, particularly those positions at the smaller elementary schools. We are using attrition as the means for the reduction. In order to provide equality during the reduction process, the remaining assistant principals will be shared between two sites.

Q: Are media center aides being eliminated?

A: Yes, at middle schools and elementary schools. There still will be one media aide at high school media centers. There also still will be a certified librarian at each media center.

Q: Are teaching supplies being reduced?

A: No. The Governing Board took that option off the possible reduction list.

Q: Will an M&O (maintenance and operation) budget override be put on another ballot and will there be additional items added to the ballot?

A: There are four opportunities during a fiscal year (July 1-June 30) for a public vote on an M&O override. The timeline for the Sept. 10 and Nov. 5 elections has passed without Governing Board action. March 11, 2003, is the next opportunity for a ballot vote. The earliest date for a decision by the Governing Board to place the M&O override on the March 11 ballot will be Oct. 22, at the regularly scheduled Board meeting. It is up to the Governing Board to place such an item, or other items, on the ballot. Based on comments made at previous Board meetings, it appears that the M&O override will be the only item on the ballot.