BUSD faces decision on budget
Board must close schools or make massive cuts
The Barstow Unified School District took action on the following items at their regular meeting on Tuesday:
• Agenda order of business: The board unanimously voted to add a space in the agenda for reports from the California School Employees Association and the Barstow Educational Association. A work study session was also added to the agenda after roll call and before closed session.
• Reestablishment of certificated position: The board unanimously approved the reestablishment of a certified employee position at Montara Elementary School. Assistant Superintendent Jeff Malan said that increased enrollment at the school has allowing a classified employee to be taken off of the layoff list.
• Reduction of classified position: The board unanimously voted to eliminate a currently vacant paraeducator position for an annual savings of $8,650.
• Supplemental clerical assignment: The board unanimously approved additional labor hours for a clerical employee so that she may input data into the California Department of Education’s computer system to meet an upcoming deadline, at a cost of $1,370 plus employer costs.
BARSTOW • Barstow Unified School District is facing tough decisions as they seek to close a projected budget gap of $1.5 million a year for the next three years.
The district will soon make a choice of closing two schools or cutting $600,000 from the budget. The rest of the money will be saved by leaving classified employee positions vacant and “sweeping” $100,000 of deferred maintenance money into the general fund, as allowed by law.
The district has seen a decrease in state funding of $9.3 million over the past three years, according to assistant superintendent Tony Wardell.
At the BUSD board meeting Tuesday, the board informally decided that a list of what will be cut — if the district does not close schools — should be prepared by the board’s next meeting on September 28. Although a list of wide-ranging suggestions has been presented to the board at their last two meetings, a list of specific cuts with dollar amounts adding up to $600,000 has yet to be compiled.
The BUSD cabinet recommended closing two schools for an estimated savings of $600,000 per year. Levine asked the board if they were committed to closing schools, and they said no.
BUSD budget reduction suggestions include cutting the number of school days to 175, layoffs, charging for busing and pay cuts.
Board Vice President Barbara Rose said that are some things she would never vote to cut, like band, but realized that cuts must be made.
“We need to come up with as many cuts as we can,” said Rose. “We can’t just have recommendations. We are down to bare bones, everything (we cut) will hurt the students.”
The school board will vote on a budget reduction plan at their regular meeting on October 12. School districts must maintain three percent of their annual budget in reserve in order to stay certified with the county.
Anyone with suggestions in regard to budget cuts may visit the district’s website at www.barstow.k12.ca.us and click on the “contact us” link or visit the district’s office at 551 South avenue H.
Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4126 or adome@desertdispatch.com
