Elementary School Libraries May Be Next on SMMUSD Chopping Block

• Athletics and Administration Are Untouched by Cuts

BY SUZANNE GULDIMANN

Elementary school libraries may be the next target of cost-saving measures being threatened if the May ballot tax measure doesn’t pass, according to Superintendent of the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District Tim Cuneo.
Cuneo recently hosted a meeting with members of the press to outline the district’s ongoing budget process and to promote the $195 temporary parcel tax that will be the subject of a May 25 special election.
The superintendent highlighted what he described as the district’s tremendous successes, including impressive advanced placement numbers, exit exam pass rates, and the strong relationship between the district and Santa Monica College, before addressing the budget issue.
Cuts in state funding have resulted in a growing district deficit, expected to reach $14 million this year. Cuneo explained that $4.5 million in cost cutting measures implemented in 2009, and money siphoned from the district’s reserve have slowed the deficit, but that it continues to grow, leading to a drastic plan to eliminate the entire elementary school music program, issue pink slips to 92 teachers, counselors and nurses, and increase class sizes for the second time in two years.
The district, which is facing a projected $14 million deficit, has already cut $4.5 million from its budget in 2009, and is planning to implement cost saving measures that will include five furlough days for all employees—reducing the school year from 180 days to 175—at an estimated savings of $2 million a year for the next two years.
The four members of senior management will take six days of reduced salary. Cuneo stated that he did not exercise the right to a bonus this year, last year or next year and added that, despite the furlough days “my work here stays the same.”
Cuneo explained that 71 percent of the district’s funding comes from the state, 14 percent more is restricted funding that can’t be reallocated and must be used only for specific programs. Local revenue from parcel taxes, PTAs and the community donations constitutes 10 percent. The remaining five percent comes from the federal government.
The budget crisis in Sacramento has caused state revenues to be reduced to 2003-4 levels, a net loss of 18 percent, or $8.5 million.
“The government is proposing another $2 million cut,” Cuneo stated. “We have to have a balanced budget by June. The state never does.”
The district is counting on passage of a $195 per property parcel tax that was initially described as an “emergency” tax but is now being called simply a “temporary” tax, to help bail it out.
“We’re actually running two budgets,” Cuneo said. One with the [parcel tax] measure and one without it.” Cuneo indicated that some recipients of pink slips could be rehired if the tax passes, and that cuts to programs could be mitigated.
“It took a very small amount of time to get here,” Cuneo said. “The recession will take a lot longer to recover.”
The communities of Santa Monica and Malibu have traditionally supported previous tax measures, however, response to the current parcel tax proposal has been described as “lukewarm.”
A large number of residents are already coping with the fallout from the housing and job market crisis and organized opposition to the measure is forming in Santa Monica.
“We have been very proactive,” Cuneo said. “We cut $4.5 million last year, but most of our money is all tied up.” Cuneo described the school board as “prudent,” and credited them with building a reserve that has slowed the budget decline but has not been adequate to stop it.
He explained that 49 percent of the district budget goes to salaries and benefits for certificated personnel.
An early retirement package offers some of the prospective teachers a less painful exit strategy but will do little to reduce class crowding and program cuts.
Cuneo revealed that in addition to terminating the elementary school music program, the district is also discussing shutting down elementary school libraries. No athletic programs have been cut, and administrators were not included in the current round of proposed pink slips.
The board of education has faced accusations from some parents that it is “holding elementary school music hostage” to the parcel tax. Classroom teachers union representative Harry Keilly has also been highly critical of the proposed layoffs, calling them premature.
“There are laws we have to meet, Cuneo explained. “Employees who are to be laid off must receive notice by March 15.”