OUSD budget cuts approved
by Bret Bradigan

Ojai Unified School District board of trustees were all ayes on its two big issues Tuesday night - slashing $1.8 million from its $25 million budget, and approving a new charter school.
The motion to approve the budget cuts, which have been dissected and discussed since February, did not come without comment. The district, faced with steep enrollment declines, will open for school in August with 11 fewer teachers, nine fewer classified staff, one less administrator and one-half fewer classified management positions, to serve about 189 fewer students.
Before opening the discussion about cuts to classified staff, Assistant Superintendent Jim Berube said, "This is the hardest management situation I've been under in 25 years It is absolutely necessary to do this in the smartest way."
Barbi Rice, president of the local California State Employees Association chapter, said the classified staff - representing the district's 113 bus drivers, cafeteria staff, janitors, groundskeepers and secretaries - appreciated the willingness of the administrators to listen to their concerns. In exchange for accepting the steep cuts to hours and staff, the classified employees asked "your assurance that these hours be restored as soon as possible," should the budget situation improve.
Board member Vince France said this process was made more painful by the district's small size. "It's a lot easier in big districts like Los Angeles. There are no faces to go with the names. This is somewhat of a family situation - we're all in this together."
Board member Bob Unruhe urged the classified staff to keep the board informed about the effect of the budget cuts on their ability to do their jobs. "As problems develop, let us know right away," he said.
District finance officer Danielle Pusatere ran down highlights of the budget situation for the board before they voted, including the staff cuts. This budget for the 2002-03 school year also includes a 2 percent cost of living raise, a 3 percent reserve for emergencies, $350,000 for salary adjustments and, if expenses are on target, about $35,000 left over.
Some classified staff members weren't reassured.
Dorothy Johnson, Chaparral School secretary and 23-year district veteran, said, "This has been an interesting education for me I'm still not sure the district is being run as efficiently as it can be." She also mentioned that - in conversations with her - district administrators "consider the merit system burdensome."
John McCarthy, another classified member, disputed that these budget cuts "were fair and equitable. Fair and equitable, to me, is if there's a 1 percent cut, then that 1 percent cut is taken across the board."
Just before the vote, France said this isn't a one-time process. "I'm afraid it's going to be worse next year. It's not going to be fun," he said.
Superintendent Van Riley agreed, but said, "We're in as good a financial shape as we could hope for," noting that in the June 4 board meeting, he handed out a three-page sheet listing the programs and projects at the schools. "I'm very proud of that."
The Valley Oak Charter returned to the board for a public hearing on their proposal. The charter, upon direction of the district, was rewritten to more closely collaborate with the other schools, and to address liability, employee, and parent issues. This charter school proposal, an outgrowth of the Homeschooling Resource Center, was particularly difficult, said Assistant Superintendent Baird, who worked closely with the homeschooling parents.
"This is the most complicated - it is a charter school and a study center," he said.
Riley said he enjoyed working on the proposal and the charter school applicants. "They really had a vision - they were able to help us, and we're were able to help them."
Martha Fellows, one of charter school organizers, said, "This is good for the district, good for the families and good for the children."
The board concurred. Kathi Smith, board president, said, "I hope the community recognizes the administration's willingness to look at the charter school."
Valley Oak Charter School would serve between 30 to 60 students, with budget plans for $161,427 per year for 40 students. The school would serve as a liaison between homeschoolers and the Ojai Unified School District, and provide a variety of programs and instruction for homeschool students to learn in group settings.
In other business before the board, Berube gave an update on construction projects. The 23 portable classrooms at San Antonio Elementary School have been removed, and two lease-to-buy relocatable buildings - which will cost $459,487 over five years - will replace them. The job is proceeding on schedule, as Berube said it must. "Once we start this job, we'd better finish on time."
At Nordhoff High School, bids are due Sept. 24 for the $4.9 million project, and construction is scheduled to start in October.
Riley closed the meeting by noting the success of the graduations throughout the district. "At every school, the promotion ceremonies were really touching."

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

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