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Recent News - School District Budget Cuts
California school districts face very difficult decisions in handling recent budget cuts. This EdSource page provides a list of selected news articles that highlight how budget cuts impact specific California school districts.
NOTE: While we only select articles from reputable sources, EdSource cannot and does not guarantee the accuracy of linked content or endorse the viewpoints expressed therein.
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Classes stay small despite budget cuts | The Santa Clarita Valley Signal ~ 8/29/2011
Castaic district class sizes fourth smallest in county.
California School Superintendent Declines Salary | The Root ~ 8/29/2011
Fresno School Superintendent Larry Powell has agreed to give up $800,000 in salary that he would have earned over three years.
Schools enjoy unexpected funds, but midyear cuts are possible | Los Angeles Times ~ 8/28/2011
Los Angeles Unified's superintendent says he is'gravely worried'about midyear cuts in state funding and plans to talk with the teachers union about further shortening the school year.
The superintendent of the Ramona Unified School District last week expressed hope in the face of what promises to be a difficult year for educators across California, as an anticipated 6,100 students prepared for the first day of school on Monday. That enrollment estimate is down 141 students from last year, making the bad news of the state budget crisis"doubly bad,"Superintendent Robert Graeff said. Read more: h
The Mt. Diablo school district and teachers union are preparing for tough negotiations this fall that could shorten the school year for students and trim teachers'pay.
BCSD personnel feeling cheery about'new era'| The Californian ~ 8/24/2011
Teachers all received a 2 percent bonus this school year, and the district hired 80 new teachers.
Students in Mt. Diablo district schools could see their academic year shortened by five days under a proposed contract with teachers.
Fresno Co. schools chief volunteers for pay cut | The Fresno Bee ~ 8/22/2011
Fresno County's superintendent of schools has decided to forgo more than $800,000 in salary and benefits over the next three years to save education programs in tight budget times.
Talking Teacher Layoffs | Voice of San Diego ~ 8/22/2011
Leaders of California's public colleges and universities said today that they are preparing for mid-year"trigger"cuts to their already-reduced budgets.
Lodi Unified tests out iPad's power in the classroom | The Stockton Record ~ 8/20/2011
Lodi Unified has made a $200,000 plunge into interactive learning using Apple's most recent device, the 16-gigabyte, Internet-enabled iPad 2. Through grants, the district purchased 230 iPads and has distributed them to six classrooms ranging from third grade to high school, technology director Dale Munsch said.
District says field fees went for schools | San Diego Union Tribune ~ 8/16/2011
Grand jury raised concerns about money handling.
Among the approvals granted for personnel were 12 positions for a new job description called academic pathway advisers.This group will provide education and career advisement to students and parents.
Lake Elsinore: More money for extracurriculars | The Californian ~ 8/18/2011
In the wake of a state ruling that puts restrictions on how money is raised for extracurricular activities at high schools, the Lake Elsinore district has increased the budget for sports, band, cheer and dance programs at its three comprehensive high schools.
Valley private school options dwindling | Los Angeles Daily News ~ 8/17/2011
The weak economy is leaving San Fernando Valley students with fewer private school options this fall, after several campuses cut grade levels and programs because of declining enrollment.
Lodi Unified School District is banking on innovative funding to pay for a new school in the North Stockton area.
Busy start to Turlock school year | The Modesto Bee ~ 8/16/2011
In their first meeting of the 2-day-old school year, trustees of the Turlock Unified School District reorganized their administration, rescinded some layoff notices and wrapped up some business from last school year by holding a graduation ceremony for a handful of students.
School finances in peril | The Herald ~ 8/17/2011
There are 11 school districts in California facing potential takeover by the state if their financial situation doesn't improve. One hundred and thirty more are two steps away, including North Monterey County Unified and King City Union Elementary.
Hemet: School board restores two work days | The Press-Enterprise ~ 8/16/2011
A year ago, budget cuts forced the district to trim eight days from the calendar: five with students and three non-student days. Two of those non-student days were restored by the board.
San Bernardino: School attendance gains urged | The Press-Enterprise ~ 8/16/2011
While that 0.4 percent might seem small, a 1 percent increase would bring the district an additional $3 million in average daily attendance state funding, said Mohammad Islam, the district's chief financial officer. That amount could pay for 50 teachers, he said.
Alisal to serve free meals this year | The Californian ~ 8/16/2011
Because 91 percent of its enrollment qualifies for federal free-and-reduced-price lunches, the district qualifies for the Provision 2 Program, enabling all students in the district to get free meals.
Inland: Schools fear next wave of cuts | The Press-Enterprise ~ 8/13/2011
Inland students are returning to school this month, but it may not seem the same.
Humboldt County students may notice a few changes when they head back to school this fall.
Pajaro schools face fiscal uncertainty | The Salinas Californian ~ 8/11/2011
But as the Pajaro Valley Unified School District board of trustees grapples with how to spend $5.6 million set aside in the spring amid concerns about steep cuts to state funding that did not materialize, the bigger question might well be how long the dollars will be there.
Trustees in the Bonsall Union School District voted Wednesday morning to proceed with a unification plan by spending $50,000 for a state-required environmental study.
School district alters its elections, rehires teachers | Bakersfield Californian ~ 8/10/2011
Panama-Buena Vista Union School District's board on Tuesday approved a plan to change the way future trustee elections are held, officially brought back nearly 20 teachers from layoffs, and hired a consultant company to study the possibility of passing a construction bond measure in the district.
Las Virgenes board OKs parcel tax ballot measure | Ventura County Star ~ 8/9/2011
Las Virgenes school officials will ask voters to approve a second parcel tax in November. The Las Virgenes Unified School District board Monday night unanimously approved putting a $95-a-year parcel tax measure on the Nov. 8 ballot.
Furlough called off in Oxnard School District, at least temporarily | Ventura County Star ~ 8/9/2011
Oxnard School District officials are calling off a six-day furlough, saying it won't be needed unless the state imposes midyear cuts to schools.
Alta Loma district trims its bus service | Inland Valley Daily Bulletin ~ 8/6/2011
With the start of school Monday, the Alta Loma School District will consolidate the number of bus routes from 11 to seven.
O.C. schools shave 524 jobs | Orange County Register ~ 8/5/2011
range County public schools have eliminated 524 jobs this year as they struggle to cope with rising costs and limited state funding, even as the financial outlook for public education has improved dramatically over the past three months.
Some small school districts mull urge to merge | The Herald ~ 8/6/2011
Members of the Monterey County civil grand jury are said to be looking into issue of consolidation.
Federal jobs money saving teachers, limiting class sizes | Bakersfield Californian ~ 8/7/2011
The $35.7 million given in August 2010 to 50 school districts and educational agencies here expires next month.
450 LAUSD teachers rehired | Los Angeles Times ~ 8/5/2011
The cash-strapped Los Angeles school district has hired back 450 elementary school teachers, according to district officials.
Local high school sports survive, but with changes | Chico Enterprise-Record | 8/5/2011
Despite some bumps, challenges and a significant change in Chico High School's"home"football field, prep sports in Chico will be pretty much normal.
Valley schools get grant to boost test results | The Fresno Bee ~ 8/4/2011
A year-long effort by superintendents from seven California school districts– including Fresno, Clovis and Sanger – to collaborate on ideas to improve test scores is getting a boost. The San Francisco-based Stuart Foundation has awarded a $1.55 million grant to the districts'collaborative, the California Office to Reform Education, to continue to share ideas and develop assessment tools.
Empire School District committed to paying off bonds | The Modesto Bee ~ 8/4/2011
School trustees decided Thursday night to commit extra money from special taxes to paying off millions of dollars in construction bonds.
San Diego Unified to hire back 100 more teachers | San Diego Union-Tribune ~ 8/2/2011
City schools administrators on Tuesday said they would hire back another 100 elementary teachers as part of the district’s commitment to keep K-3 class sizes small.
Budget cuts make approaching school year unpredictable | San Diego Union-Tribune ~ 7/31/2011
Little over a month before 130,000 San Diego students return to the classroom, the city school district is at a loss to say where many of its teachers and students will end up come September.
The laid-off teachers were justifiably baffled Sunday when they read that they had been rehired.
Deal would give BCSD teachers 2 percent bonus | The Bakersfield Californian | 7/27/2011
The Bakersfield City School District and Bakersfield Elementary Teachers Association reached a tentative agreement Wednesday to give teachers a one-time, 2 percent bonus and to cover any increase in health care benefit costs.
The elusive fix on School Improvement Grants | Thoughts on Public Education ~ 7/28/2011
The first day of school is just over two weeks away in San Francisco Unified School District and they still don’t know whether they’ll get their second year of funding under the federal School Improvement Grant (SIG) program.
Employee concessions and better than expected state aid have pulled Natomas Unified from the brink of bankruptcy.
Federal study to assess San Diego program for English learners | San Diego Union-Tribune ~ 7/25/2011
Researchers have launched a $2.6 million federally funded project to assess a writing program for English language learners that was developed by a North County school district 21 years ago.
Vista USD trustees to revisit music program | North County Times ~ 7/25/2011
The future of Vista Unified School District's elementary school music program will come back before the district's board of trustees on Thursday because funding for it has dried up.
New Haven to rehire 24 teachers | The Oakland Tribune ~ 7/23/2011
Twenty-four teachers this week were told they will be rehired, in addition to 29 teachers who already have been rehired, mostly to fill positions vacated primarily because of retirements and resignations.
Sweetwater bond projects to be scrutinized | The San Diego Union-Tribune ~ 7/22/2011
Superintendent will review delays, oversight and higher project costs.
At a time when the Pomona Unified School District is trying to find ways of increasing its revenue, a consultant has brought district leaders a report filled with ideas, one which could save several million dollars each year.
New class, new challenges | The Stockton Record ~ 7/26/2011
It's hard to believe, but students are already heading back to class. And deep cuts to funding are forcing school districts in San Joaquin and Calaveras to find new ways to deliver public education.
Security a concern for SUSD | The Stockton Record ~ 7/25/2011
Budget cutbacks mean educators will have to do more with less when it comes to keeping campuses safe.
State legislation passed last month to block public school districts from reducing their teaching staffs in the coming school year hasn't resulted in a rush among local districts to rehire all the instructors laid off in May.
Helping Weakest Students Could Cost This School | Voice of San Diego ~ 7/22/2011
The Logan Heights school pays for the extra hours with a windfall of federal money meant to overhaul the very worst schools. It is slated to get $4 million over three years and already was awarded more than $1.1 million this year. Now that treasured money could be in jeopardy — and all because Burbank focused on its weakest students.
Empire schools study debt | The Modesto Bee ~ 7/21/2011
Empire schools could save millions in interest payments and reduce homeowners'debt burden if they use the $3 million in the district's"construction"account to pay off some of their bonds.
Financial planners with the San Diego Unified School District urged trustees Tuesday to brace for midyear layoffs to nonteaching employees and more furlough days to cope with potential midyear budget cuts.
Fees out, fundraising in for school sports, clubs | The Desert Sun ~ 7/21/2011
There were smiles and hugs all around when the Palm Springs High School Cheer Boosters board members added up the results of two months of frantic fundraising and realized they could afford a uniform for each girl.
Teachers lament loss of staffing at Pacific Grove meeting | The Californian ~ 7/19/2011
More than 500 teacher union representatives converged on Pacific Grove Tuesday to listen to what the new California Teachers Association president had to say about a tax fairness campaign and stabilizing state funding for public schools.
Delayed Money Could Put Schools in Red | Voice of San Diego ~ 7/19/2011
San Diego Unified could dip $2.5 million into the hole next spring because California is putting off payments to schools, even more than the school district had been expecting.
Elk Grove scrambles to place 445 rehired teachers in classrooms | The Sacramento Bee ~ 7/19/2011
District officials decided just last week to rehire all 445 teachers laid off in May. They began calling them back Wednesday.
The Met Sacramento High School has bright energy future | The Sacramento Bee ~ 7/17/2011
Administrators say remodeling will both save money for the district and help students learn.
Strapped school districts look to private foundations | The Stockton Record ~ 7/17/2011
As public education continues to face financial uncertainty, local school districts are beginning to look toward the private sector and the community to pitch in.
Hueneme schools save on energy costs | Ventura County Star ~ 7/17/2011
Going green while saving greenbacks is a win-win as far as Jerry Dannenberg, superintendent of the Hueneme School District, is concerned.
The end of the school counselor? | The Oakland Tribune ~ 7/18/2011
The counselors'office at Oakland's largest high school is empty -- and not just for the summer.
Los Angeles schools to revamp their ban on social promotion | Los Angeles Times ~ 7/18/2011
The loss of summer school, which also affected other California school systems, was a driving force behind the L.A. Unified's decision to reexamine its promotion policy.
State gives Bonsall OK to pursue unification plan | North County Times ~ 7/14/2011
State education officials said Thursday that a plan to expand the Bonsall Union School District can proceed, but local officials will have to pick up the cost of studying the idea.
Health care reform money comes to SGV schools | San Gabriel Valley Tribune ~
Healthy bodies equal a healthy mind, or at least that's what federal officials said Thursday when they released the names of schools across the nation that will receive portions of a $200 million grant to build school health clinics.
Stockton Unified gets $56,000 for school-based health centers | The Stockton Record ~ 7/14/2011
School-based health centers play a critical role in the lives of children, especially in low-income and rural areas where access to adequate medical and dental care is a difficult for many families.
Trustee wanted objections in minutes | The San Diego Union-Tribune ~ 7/13/2011
A county Board of Education trustee who last month cast the sole vote against a $25,000 boost to the county superintendent’s retirement package sought unsuccessfully on Wednesday to get the reasons for his opposition included in the board’s minutes.
District finds possible embezzlement by coaches | The Orange County Register ~ 7/13/2011
Hundreds of thousands of dollars were not properly accounted for in Capistrano Unified alone; other O.C. districts could be in similar predicaments.
A group of classified employees in the Galt Joint Union High School District will take three furlough days next school year under a labor contract approved by the board of trustees Tuesday.
State ignores Stockton Unified's plea for grants | The Stockton Record ~ 7/14/2011
Stockton Unified will have to wait at least until 2012 for lucrative federal grants that would benefit seven of its K-8 campuses identified by the state as"persistently low performing."
Software lawsuits trouble Ventura County Office of Education | Ventura County Star ~ 7/13/2011
Lingering litigation surrounding the Zangle online communication system used by most local school districts is frustrating officials at the Ventura County Office of Education, which is being sued for $3.5 million.
San Diego Unified's midyear cuts could total $25.5 million | The San Diego Union-Tribune ~ 7/12/2011
If state revenues fail to meet budget expectations and K-12 schools are forced to make midyear cuts, San Diego Unified’s portion will be around $25.5 million, trustees were told in a budget briefing Tuesday night.
Esparto defeats $100 parcel tax for schools | The Sacramento Bee ~ 7/13/2011
Voters in the Esparto Unified School District on Tuesday overwhelmingly defeated a proposed $100 annual parcel tax to support the rural district's beleaguered schools.
Threat of midyear cuts to school budgets alarms educators | Ventura County Star ~ 7/12/2011
Many questions linger on state budget.
In yet another stark measure of the region's difficult economy, Sacramento County schools have seen a marked increase in the number of students whose families do not have a stable home.
Esparto votes by mail on school parcel tax | The Sacramento Bee ~ 7/12/2011
Esparto voters have until Tuesday to decide if the unincorporated area in rural Yolo County should follow the lead of affluent communities in the Bay Area and Davis that support their schools with parcel taxes.
School officials talk about state budget challenges | The
California's budget is"probably the best we could have hoped for public schools,"but it's not perfect, former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell said Monday afternoon before updating Kern's school leaders on the state budget.
Budget leaves Santa Cruz County schools districts in limbo | Santa Cruz Sentinel ~ 7/10/2011
The $85.9 billion state budget signed by Gov. Jerry Brown does little to put public education funding on solid turf for next school year, possibly dealing districts severe cuts at the midyear point in January.
Fortuna, Rohnerville school districts start consolidation process | The Times-Standard ~ 7/9/2011
Saying it will save money and provide students with better services, elected officials with the Fortuna Union Elementary School District and the Rohnerville School District boards began the process of consolidating the two districts in April.
Some 414 fewer students enrolled in Lodi Unified School District schools last academic year than the year before, resulting in a funding loss of about $2 million, according to a recent state report.
Teacher Jobs, Small Classes for Smallest Kids Spared | Voice of San Diego ~ 7/10/2011
But even as the school district cancels cuts and saves about 300 teacher jobs now, it is still bracing for more than $70 million in cuts for the year after that. Teachers may only be safe for a year.
Some laid off teachers stay laid off | The Fresno Bee ~ 7/10/2011
Even though California legislators put more money into the state budget to forestall teacher layoffs, local school district officials say they're not planning to rescind any already-issued pink slips. The reason: They fear more budget cuts could come in December.
Jerry Brown link benefits Oakland charter schools | California Watch ~ 7/8/2011
Jerry Brown's term as governor promises big returns for the two Oakland charter schools he founded.
With Gov. Jerry Brown’s signing of the state’s 2011-12 budget, Sierra Sands Unified School District officials said they are comfortable with the budget the Board of Education approved in June.
Teachers from low-performing schools face stigma on job search | Los Angeles Times ~ 7/8/2011
In a bizarre game of musical chairs, nearly 1,000 Los Angeles teachers— who are guaranteed jobs somewhere in the school system — have been hunting for a school that wants them. And hundreds of them have to counter a stigma that they are undesirable castoffs, because they previously worked at low-performing schools that are being restructured.
San Francisco schools try to cut number of unused workbooks | San Francisco Chronicle ~ 7/8/2011
San Francisco school officials say they are stepping up efforts to reduce the number of unused workbooks that land in district recycling bins each year, calling the practice an unnecessary waste of trees and money.
Encinitas: Cardiff district approves $7 million spending plan | North County Times ~ 7/7/2011
District officials have made some cuts to help defray rising costs from employee salaries and benefits. These cost reductions include adding a student or two to kindergarten-through-third-grade classes at the district's two schools and cutting back on custodial projects, said Sandie Luehrs, director of fiscal services for the district.
Antioch Unified considers bond measure for Antioch High | Contra Costa Times ~ 7/6/2011
The school district is considering placing a bond measure on next year's ballot to modernize Antioch High School.
Atascadero Unified School District will keep its head above water in the 2011-12 school year, but only just, and things look grim for 2012-13 and beyond.
School district passes budget for next year | Half Moon Bay Review ~ 7/6/2011
Board members of the Cabrillo Unified School District approved next school year's budget on June 30, but balancing the 2011-2012 budget required transferring $1 million from a special revenues fund established for rainy-day purposes. The accounting move is considered a"one-time solution."
More than 1,400 San Diego teachers and other school workers are officially out of work under budget cuts and layoffs approved on Tuesday.
Valley schools cutting back on health classes | The Desert Sun ~ 7/6/2011
Coachella Valley school districts are joining a growing— and some say disturbing — trend of schools reconsidering how health education is provided in high schools.
State budget concerns school finance chiefs | North County Times ~ 7/5/2011
While school districts were spared huge cuts in the recently signed state budget, administrators are concerned about some restrictions that are part of the spending plan.
Stockton Unified loses out on grant | The Stockton Record ~ 7/6/2011
For the second consecutive year, it appears Stockton Unified will be denied lucrative grants that would allow seven of the district's struggling K-8 campuses to extend instructional time, hire additional staff and provide paid time for teacher collaboration.
Chino school board OKs 3-year budget | Inland Valley Daily Bulletin ~ 7/2/2011
Chino Valley Unified School District continues to wrestle with deficit spending while even more fiscal uncertainty pours down from Sacramento.
High school district must dip into savings | Mountain View Voice ~ 7/5/2011
Local high schools will not suffer greatly next year, despite the fact that the Mountain View-Los Altos district plans to run at a deficit, the district's head business officer said.
Santa Monica-Malibu Board of Education Passes $118.1 Million Budget | Santa Monica Patch ~ 7/4/2011
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District expects to get 33 percent of its funding from local sources. The figure is not as high in most other California school districts.
Budget leaves Stanislaus schools suffering | The Modesto Bee ~ 7/4/2011
School budget problems go far beyond subtracting— districts getting less than they need or expect. California's way of financing education is so complicated and unstable it creates significant costs of its own, and policy mandates limit school boards'options to fix it.
Adviser work open in district | Inland Valley Daily Bulletin ~ 7/4/2011
For Dinny Rasmussen and other counselors at the Fontana Unified School District, the roller-coaster ride might be over.There are now 30 jobs open in the district for people with the same qualifications. Since March, jobs for the district's 68 counselors have been in peril - and when the school year ended, they all cleared out their desks.
Can'Lafayette Way'survive Long Beach layoffs? | Long Beach Press-Telegram ~ 7/2/2011
Parents fear loss of 18 teachers will undermine impressive gains made by the school.
School budgets adopted amid continued uncertainty | The San Diego Union-Tribune ~ 7/4/2011
All the school districts in the county adopted their annual budgets last month amid uncertainty about California’s fiscal state. Then, almost before the ink was dry on the spending plans, things got even more uncertain.
Stockton Unified School District's construction junctions | The Stockton Record ~ 7/3/2011
But even as San Joaquin County's largest school district has struggled with empty pockets, in one key area - facilities - it has been relatively flush financially.
Remember: While we only select articles from reputable news sources, EdSource cannot and does not guarantee the accuracy of linked content or endorse the viewpoints expressed therein.
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