Local schools bracing for budget cuts
By Bret Bradigan

Courtesy of declining enrollment and a growing state budget gap, it's nearly certain that as many as 13, and perhaps more, teachers at Ojai Unified School District will get pink slips by March 15.
Local elementary schools are projected to lose five teaching positions, plus two at Matilija Junior High School and one at Nordhoff High School. Factor in five teachers who have announced their intent to return from leaves of absence, and it's doubtful the district can make up the difference through retirement, relocations or other forms of attrition.
The district is wrestling with California Gov. Gray Davis' mid-year budget reductions, which will cost $580,000. They are also dealing with Davis' January message, in which he outlined his proposal to close the state's two-year, $35 billion deficit with a range of cuts, which, for the schools, include eliminating cost of living increases and a 10.8 percent cut in most programs.
According to an analysis by School Services of California, Inc,. "This year, more than any in memory, virtually everything is open to negotiation - except the bottom line." The group estimates the budget cuts will cost California schools between $5.4 billion and $6 billion over the next 18 months.
Assistant Superintendent Jim Berube said the budget picture will begin to clear after Jan. 31, when the state legislature comes out with its counteroffer from the special session and budget horse trading begins in earnest. The governor will then issue his budget revisions in May, and, it is planned, but given the scope of the deficit, doubtful, that the state will pass its budget in June.
The local budgeting process has already begun. Ojai Unified School District's "cabinet" of administrators, including Berube, Superintendent Van Riley, Assistant Superintendent Tim Baird, Finance Officer Danielle Pusatere, Meiners Oaks Principal Marty Babayco, and Assistant Superintendent Jarice Butterfieldd, has already begun meeting. Berube says they work "on the big picture," before forwarding suggestions and recommendations to the district's leadership team, which includes all principals, as well as representatives from Ojai Federation of Teachers and the California Service Employees Association.
Other obstacles to negotiate this year, besides the dire forecasts from Sacramento, are the payroll hikes that come with automatic step and column increases given to employees, as well as steep increases in health insurance costs, estimated at 15 percent of the $8,300 benefits package paid to fulltime employees.
Berube estimated the built-in increases to the budget at 4 to 5 percent.
The district, must, by law, pass a balanced budget by the final meeting of the board in June, which is scheduled for June 24. By no means, though, is that likely to be the last word, as the district will more than likely need to make further adjustments after the school year begins in August.
It will be difficult to balance the budget without some cuts in staffing levels, if not staff members, as "it is hoped" that attribution will reduce the district's payroll costs. Salary, wages and benefits run up to about 85 percent of the district's costs, leaving that 15 percent for classroom materials, transportation, training, building and grounds, and all other expenses of the $25 million annual budget.
"Our goal is to keep everyone employed," Berube said, "but we have to be flexible." For instance, staff members may shift from one school to another, from one job to another. "They may be doing an entirely different job one year from now."
One innovative approach in Davis' budget is to take 64 different programs, package them together, and give the money to the school districts to do with what they please. The block grant would total about $5.1 billion statewide, or about $3.25 million for Ojai's 3,954 students. This plan is guaranteed to endanger plenty of controversy, though Berube acknowledged it has many benefits, flexibility being chief among them.
"I'm tired of the restrictions being placed on the money," he said. "It does give the district more control."

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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