From the Desk of the Superintendent

Superintendent J. Brian Sarvis, Ed.D.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Maintaining fiscal solvency in the Santa Barbara School Districts

We have spent the past six months making budget cuts to ensure our fiscal solvency. I am often asked how we are going to survive the budget cuts, given that we cut over $4 million last year and almost $4.5 million this year.

A number of teachers and counselors are being laid off. Layoffs would have been necessary anyway, due to declining enrollment. This past March we had some 60 people who received layoff notices. However, we expect to be able to retain about 30 people. We are busy getting people into the positions, based on the board’s final decisions on June 16, but the process is involved and it will take a considerable amount of time to complete.

I want to clear up some confusion about the amount of budget cuts made this June. At our last meeting we cut $1.4 million, not the $3.5 million that was reported by one of the local newspapers. I believe the confusion stems from the districts’ plan to use some of its reserves to balance the budget. Spending money we are holding in reserve is not considered a budget cut.

Based on our recent negotiations, we are moving forward with Plan B, as outlined in our June 16, 2009, Fiscal Solvency Plan, Phase 2: http://www.sbsdk12.org/budgets/2008-09/FiscalSolvencyPlanSummary6-18-09.pdf

So, what is our future?

We have 2,500 employees dedicated to teaching or supporting learning. It is that dedication and enthusiasm for students, their growth, their acquisition of skills, and their transition to adulthood as productive citizens that will see us through.

We are also thankful to have the support of the community through the parcel taxes in the elementary district and secondary district. Parcel tax funds will provide additional instruction in music, science, and technology education at the elementary school level as well as math, science, technology education, and foreign language at the secondary level; music, arts, and theatre programs at the junior high level; and restoration of ninth-grade math science classes.