March 6, 2008
Dear Parents and Community Members,
I know that you have been reading about large budget cuts in our surrounding districts, with hundreds of teachers and classified personnel being laid off and programs being eliminated. I also know that each of you is concerned about the possible effects the State budget reductions may have in our District and how they may affect your child and school community.
The budget proposed by the Governor in January 2008 required a 10% cut in education. On Wednesday, March 5, I presented preliminary budget recommendations to the Board of Trustees that address this 10% reduction ($9.8M). Based on the preliminary State Budget proposed by the Governor, the Board approved a preliminary budget plan at this meeting so that we are able to meet the statutory deadline for submission of a balanced budget to the San Diego County Office of Education.
You should be aware that our District has taken several steps to mitigate that impact of these reductions. First, through prudent budgeting and spending over past years, we have built a reserve that can offset some of the budget deficit. We have also put into place a strategic plan for 2008-09 that increases revenues for the District and decreases the budget deficit by 12%. Finally, recognizing the need to restrain spending, we have placed a freeze on discretionary spending for the remainder of the school year. This freeze will not affect the necessary instructional materials and other expenditures for the core program. As a result of these efforts, the effects of budget reductions in the Grossmont Union High School District will not be as significant as those being proposed in other districts throughout San Diego County.
However, there will be budget reductions in our District because the above measures cannot address the entire budget deficit. The current budget shortfall will result in budget reductions and potentially a reduction in staff. The budget I have recommended begins with reductions at the District Office, but also includes school site reductions including a potential increase in class size. You may review budget recommendations that are currently available on the District’s website at:
www.guhsd.net.
Please remember that this is the beginning of a process. While I must move forward with a balanced budget plan prior to March 15, I want to assure our parents, employees and community stakeholders that we will be working throughout the Spring to mitigate the effects of this budget on staff and programs.
The State budget will change as a result of action taken by the Governor and State legislature over the coming months. In the meantime, our focus remains on developing our Strategic Plan to mitigate the current budget impact.
Sincerely,
Bob Collins
Superintendent
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