For months, school district officials and teachers have repeated
the mantra that cuts to balance the ever-dwindling budget should be
made so as to have as little impact on students as possible. To
that end, the district’s two unions should approve at least a
one-day furlough that would save about $260,000.
Keep cuts from the classroom
For months, school district officials and teachers have repeated the mantra that cuts to balance the ever-dwindling budget should be made so as to have as little impact on students as possible. To that end, the district’s two unions should approve at least a one-day furlough that would save about $260,000. A two-day furlough would save double that amount. And, additional cuts should be made at the district office level well. These are the least offensive of bad options.
The Morgan Hill Educational Leaders Association – not technically a union, although it does represent principals, assistant principals and other district management – has pledged support of two furlough days.
More decisions to make
The Morgan Hill Unified School District must make $3.7 million in cuts for the 2009-10 school year, largely because of the state budget crisis. Since May 2008, the district has cut nearly $9 million, or 10 percent, from its general fund.
They approve closing Burnett Elementary School, handed out eight of layoff notices to teachers, laid off custodians, four clerical workers and slashed $460,000 from special education. Still left to be decided is whether or not to close Live Oak and Ann Sobrato high schools’ pools, and whether or not to increase kindergarten class size from 20 to 30 students.
Furloughs should be approved by union
Now, all those cuts have an impact on students. Talking a day off without pay while students have the day off is a good idea that unions should rally around. Another good idea is to cut more from the district office, where the direct and immediate impact on students is minimal. The district – led by Superintendent Alan Nishino – and school board members, must do all they can to ensure cuts have as little impact as possible on students.
