School District Warns of Cuts

A cloud of uncertainty hovers over the Murrieta Valley Unified School District budget forecast.

While the school board approved the filing of its 2011-2012 first interim budget Thursday, the district's finance department warned of possible mid-year cuts from the state.

If the cuts do occur, the district could be forced to make up as much as $4.2 million.

"This report is not a prediction, it is a projection based upon the information we have today," said Stacy Coleman, assistant superintendent of business services. "These numbers will change as we gather more information.

"A week from today the Department of Finance will release its 2011-2012 revenue projections. Will the triggers be pulled? That decision won’t be made until next Thursday."

District employees had been invited to the budget meeting, which was held at Vista Murrieta High School rather than the district office so there would be more seating room. About 50 teachers and employees sat in pockets around the performing arts center, listening.

Superintendent Stan Scheer said it was important for district employees to hear.

"Why the concern? We got a fairly strong announcement from the county that the trigger is going to happen on Dec. 15," Scheer said. "Which could mean having a salary reduction mid-year. But we only have maybe five pay periods to take it out of. So if you have a 4 percent pay cut, it would feel like 8. If you are making $60,000 a year that would be $500 a month out of your paycheck."

He then said they are getting mixed signals from the state, and that Gov. Jerry Brown could have a strategy to ward off the $2 billion in mid-year cuts to education.

"At this point, we are not telling you it is this or it is this...but at least we let you know that we are wrestling with a lot of uncertainty right now," Scheer said.

"The last thing I want to have employees say is 'why didn't you say something?' That is why we are doing this. We will continue to keep you informed."

The district's first interim report indicated that it is operating on $153.6 million in revenue this fiscal year, and $165.6 in expenditures.

According to Coleman, the district has "placeholders" that call for $11.1 million in salary concessions next fiscal year, and $16.4 million the following year.

The Murrieta Valley Unified School District is one of the largest employers in the valley with just over 1,700 employees--900 of those teachers.

Over the last four years, Coleman said they have been able to ward off cuts by increasing class sizes, not filling positions, and one-time stimulus funds.

"We have utilized one-time money for expenditures and it is starting to catch up with us, as it is with every school district in California," Coleman said.

He said expenditures went up this year due in part to a $1-million increase in unemployment insurance, as well as step in salary increases.

The district and its teacher and employee unions continue negotiations.

Murrieta Teachers Association vice president Wayne Conklin, a sixth-grade teacher at Thompson Middle School, serves as the bargaining chair.

"...I represent teachers in this district, I represent hard working teachers with advanced degrees and certificates," said Conklin, a father of three.

"Problems are solved collaboratively and with trust. My overall goal with all the hats I wear is that we continue to foster a culture of trust, collaboration and transparency."

Board members were optimistic that open communication would continue.

"No one up here wants to paint an unduly picture," said Ken Dickson, board member. "The right thing to do is share the information. It is not a fun message, but it is one that is important for us to consider."

Board member Margi Wray said: "There are no more rabbits to pull out of the hat...no pie-in-the-sky places to grab money from...We have to continue to work together because we have a whole generation of children depending on us."