OUSD prepares for cuts
by Bret Bradigan

Before launching into their agenda, Ojai Unified School District board members bid adieu to 227 years of accumulated experience.
School principals and associates of seven retiring staff members sang their praises and wished them well, before Kathi Smith, school board president, handed out plaques.
The retirees honored were Bonnie Brown, with 11 years as library technician at Matilija Junior High School; Claire Hill, Meiners Oaks Elementary School kindergarten teacher with 37 years in the district; Judy Dickens, technology coordinator at Topa Topa Elementary, with 25 years in the district; Carol Griffith, office manager at Mira Monte School, with 32 years; Bonnie Olson, a Meiners Oaks Elementary School teacher with 25 years in the district; Alfonso Ruiz, a custodian at Topa Topa Elementary with 29 years in the district; Janyce Shippy, a Mira Monte Elementary School teacher with 35 years in the district; and Les Stookey, a teacher at Nordhoff High School with 33 years of district experience.
Another departure speech was made for Morgan Johnsen, the board's student representative, who was praised for her diligence in visiting campuses around the district and bringing back student issues for the board. She also mentioned that plans were proceeding for the Safe and Sober post-graduation party next week, which features a bay cruise with mock casino and karaoke bar.
Assistant Superintendent Jim Berube told the board the Professional Growth Credit for classified employees was "growing every year. Quite a few of our employees take advantage of it every year." Qualifying employees can earn extra points toward pay hikes by taking professional development courses, he said. The board unanimously approved extending the program for another year.
Tim Pompey, educational coordinator for Ojai Festivals, Inc., sought and received a resolution in support of the Bravo! program. The resolution backs up a grant application the festival makes to the California Arts Council for enhancing and expanded music education in the district. At present, the Bravo! program focuses on studying the effects of music education on test scores and achievement at Summit and San Antonio elementary schools. This school year, Bravo! programs included field trips to a Santa Barbara Symphony performance, six on-site teacher workshops, free family concerts, and school-wide assemblies.
"We want to expand services throughout the district," Pompey said, "for all grade levels, K through 12."
Danielle Pusatere, the district's budget officer, presented an update on the district's proposed budget - acknowledging the uncertainty due to fluctuations in the state budget. As it stood Tuesday night, the Governor's May Revision will cost the district about $232,000. For the 2002-03 school year, the district is holding fast to a 3 percent reserve, 2 percent for salary adjustments and has about $300,000 to carry forward from the this year.
Pusatere said, "Everything you see here has been implemented," to a question about the state of present budget.
Anne McCarthy, president of the Oxnard Education Association, and the wife of a district classified employee, commented on the district's $1.8 million in budget cuts, saying they were unfair in their impacts. "You're taking 5 percent back from one group."
Heidi Whitman, a member of Topa Topa Elementary's school site council, questioned how the district could slash its supplies budget by more than half, and still meet its needs. Pusatere explained that they were able to reduce the supply budget because of the significant amount of money left over from the past year's budget. "We're making the assumption we are going to spend every single penny," she said.
Whitman also asked if it was typical that a school district spend 86 percent of its budget on salary and wages. Superintendent Van Riley said "That's very typical. It's hard to reduce (the budget) without getting into personnel."
Smith said the budget cut process has been comprehensive, citing several examples where cuts were planned but then restored. She called the process "finding inefficiencies in the system and eliminating them. The last thing I want to do is balance the budget on the backs of people who can afford it the least."
The board praised Pusatere's fiscal diligence, as Riley noted that she manages 5,843 separate accounts. "That's more than one account for every student and employee in the district," he said.
In other business, the board approved the policy for the Gifted and Talented Student program, and Riley said that the charter school application for the Homeschooling Resource Center would return for board consideration at the next meeting on June 25. Another budget plan for next year would also be presented at the June 25 meeting, he said.

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

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