The issues of budget continue to plague us as we have a responsibility to resolve a $37 million deficit for next year’s budget (2010-11). Most of us in Riverside County were given “conditional approval” by the County Office – including the requirement to take action before the end of this calendar year – in an attempt to resolve these issues. All of this before the state resolves the budget deficit that we have discussed repetitively – which is about a $20 billion problem. It is our belief that while we are NOT likely to suffer any reductions mid-year – which is great – we will suffer even a greater deficit once the Governor and Legislature start balancing their budget.
Unlike last year’s budget reconciliation, there is NO stimulus to bail us out and salvage the situation. The amount we have to resolve is larger this year than last year. Further, we have attempted about all the “tricks” and “gimmicks” that we know. What we have left are classrooms and BASIC educational programs. This year we have no option other than to impact where 92% of our budget resides – employees. Each one of those employees fills a critical role in our current education system. I can see no way to avoid the further regression of “class size reduction” and utilization of Tier III flexibility with state categorical funds.
This is certainly NOT consistent with my philosophy or prior practice – but we are left with no choice.
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