May 30, 2009
Education Budget Cuts Looming
Since voters have rejected the tax increases and extensions contained in the May 19 special election, local government and school district officials are bracing for real cuts as state legislators try to deal with a $21 billion budget shortfall.
"At this point we will be looking at what we need to do to survive, and provide basic services to the kids." - Dr. Bob Pletka, Superintendent, El Centro Elementary School DistrictHere in Imperial County, education officials say cuts will be deep and painful.
Dr. Bob Pletka, the Superintendent of the El Centro Elementary School District, said the scope of the budget cutting that must be done will pose a challenge.
“In some ways it is pretty overwhelming - the task that we need to do right now in terms of the cuts,” Pletka said.
One casualty of the state budget crisis is the loss of the district's 2009 summer school session, which Pletka said will impact about 2,000 students. He said the session was canceled in part because the state did not make a payment to the district in February. The state will also not make a payment to the district in June. Those payments should be forthcoming, but Pletka said the district had to dip into reserves to meet expenses. He also confirmed other areas of the district's budget will be impacted.
“This second round will have a direct impact on the services and education we provide kids," said Pletka. “At this point we will be looking at what we need to do to survive, and provide basic services to the kids."
The state now faces a budget shortfall of at least $21 billion dollars. That number is expected to increase as the true impact on the budget of declining property tax revenue is determined.
Pletka said the district is bracing for the worst.
“Even some of the basic reading, writing, arithmetic – those types of education programs that we have for kids are also going to be cut, so it's pretty tough,” said Pletka.
Larger class sizes are a definite possibility next year, and staffing cuts now almost certain.
“We'll definitely be looking at that,” Pletka said of the larger class sizes. “At this point we don't know exactly how bad the cuts will be for another couple of weeks.”
Pletka said the biggest impact of cutting the district's budget will be the impact on the academic achievement of students. He said he's been pleased by academic progress in the district.
“My biggest concern is that with the funding cuts, it jeopardizes the progress we have made with kids,” Pletka said.
To view the El Centro Elementary School District Web site click HERE
"At this point we will be looking at what we need to do to survive, and provide basic services to the kids." - Dr. Bob Pletka, Superintendent, El Centro Elementary School DistrictHere in Imperial County, education officials say cuts will be deep and painful.
Dr. Bob Pletka, the Superintendent of the El Centro Elementary School District, said the scope of the budget cutting that must be done will pose a challenge.
“In some ways it is pretty overwhelming - the task that we need to do right now in terms of the cuts,” Pletka said.
One casualty of the state budget crisis is the loss of the district's 2009 summer school session, which Pletka said will impact about 2,000 students. He said the session was canceled in part because the state did not make a payment to the district in February. The state will also not make a payment to the district in June. Those payments should be forthcoming, but Pletka said the district had to dip into reserves to meet expenses. He also confirmed other areas of the district's budget will be impacted.
“This second round will have a direct impact on the services and education we provide kids," said Pletka. “At this point we will be looking at what we need to do to survive, and provide basic services to the kids."
The state now faces a budget shortfall of at least $21 billion dollars. That number is expected to increase as the true impact on the budget of declining property tax revenue is determined.
Pletka said the district is bracing for the worst.
“Even some of the basic reading, writing, arithmetic – those types of education programs that we have for kids are also going to be cut, so it's pretty tough,” said Pletka.
Larger class sizes are a definite possibility next year, and staffing cuts now almost certain.
“We'll definitely be looking at that,” Pletka said of the larger class sizes. “At this point we don't know exactly how bad the cuts will be for another couple of weeks.”
Pletka said the biggest impact of cutting the district's budget will be the impact on the academic achievement of students. He said he's been pleased by academic progress in the district.
“My biggest concern is that with the funding cuts, it jeopardizes the progress we have made with kids,” Pletka said.
To view the El Centro Elementary School District Web site click HERE