EUSD Board Looking for Budget Cuts

While the Encinitas Union School District works to cut money from its budget, the board and Superintendent Tim Baird urged attendees at an April 24 budget workshop to spend their time lobbying state legislators for changes in education funding and spreading the word to voters about potential state initiatives.

EUSD is a basic-aid district, funded through property taxes. There is about $38 million in annual revenues in the general fund. But tax revenues are down, and the state has enacted a “fair share” cut, in which it takes back money from basic-aid districts to achieve parity with revenue-limit districts, whose funding is calculated per pupil. The district is slated to lose about $3 million through the fair share cut in the 2011-2012 school year, with $5 million projected for 2012-'13.

To make up that shortfall, the district is examining a number of options, some of which were discussed at the workshop. The lion’s share of attention was devoted to class sizes. The district currently has a 23-to-1 student/teacher ratio in kindergarten through third-grade classes. Next year, the board could vote to increase it to 24-to-1, for a savings of more than $416,000, or to 27-to-1, with savings of a little more than $1 million. All nine district schools are slated to have their budgets cut (for a total of roughly $285,000), as will district departments (about $635,000). All the cuts combined would save about $1.3 million (at the 24-to-1 ratio) or about $2 million (at 27-to-1). Twelve teachers have received layoff notices, and will know their future with the district next month.

Attendees at the workshop asked about other possible funding options. Several, such as furlough days or early retirement incentives for teachers, are items the district must negotiate with the teachers’ union and could not be discussed in detail. A parcel tax was also discussed, but the board is hesitant to do one this year, as the San Dieguito Union High School District is exploring a bond for this year’s election. The board also stated its reluctance to cut any instructional days from the school year calendar. The sale of Pacific View and the lease of property at Quail Gardens Drive, both in negotiation, wouldn’t bring in money in time for next year’s budget deadline.

The board is waiting to see the state’s revised budget in May before adopting a district budget in June. In the meantime, Baird and board members encouraged those in attendance to “fan the flames” and get involved at the state level. Ideas included forming grass-roots groups, picketing, scheduling visits with the area’s state legislators, and spreading information via Facebook and social media. There are two possible ballot initiatives that affect state funding, Baird outlined: One, from Gov. Jerry Brown, would help the state pay school districts on time through a sales tax bump and a “millionaire’s tax”; the other, the Munger initiative sponsored by PTA, would bring in new money to the district via graduated income tax increases.

Whether it’s lobbying at a political level or increasing fundraising for their schools, Baird urged parents to get involved.

“We've got a voice here,” Baird said. “We could make a difference.”

For more information, visit eusd.net.