Menlo-Atherton Teachers Most Pink-Slipped in District

As Gov. Jerry Brown struggles to gain support from state legislators for his budget proposal, like many other public schools, the is bracing itself for a potentially devastating financial hit.

The district administration and Board of Trustees are focusing in on slashing up to $4.5 million from its budget entering into the next fiscal year, but that amount may increase, according to district spokeswoman Bettylu Smith.

The most influential factor in how the district drafts its projected multi-year budget is Gov. Brown's ability to rally the necessary support to get his budget passed. He has faced stiff opposition from Republicans in Sacramento, who are refusing his proposal to extend $12 billion worth of taxes for another five years.

The state is facing a $24 billion deficit, and Gov. Brown's budget proposes to split that gap equally between spending cuts and tax extensions. And under the current proposal, K-12 education funding from the state would be largely saved.

On Thursday, Brown authorized $12 billion worth of cuts. The tax extension vote was expected to take place Friday, but will likely be postponed.

But Gov. Brown has said that should his proposal not gain the votes from legislators to make it to the June ballot, or not receive the supermajority necessary from voters for approval, he will be forced to make major cuts to the education system.

Smith said that should the tax extensions be approved by voters, the cuts necessary to be made locally by the district will be significantly reduced, although some reductions will still be necessary to address a structural deficit moving forward.

District Superintendent James Liandes advocated for the tax proposal to be passed.

"We remain hopeful that the Legislature will allow a special election in June and that Californians will vote to ensure that no further draconian cuts to K-12 education will be made," said Lianides.

And while the future of most state education funding is clouded by the uncertain future of Gov. Brown's budget, other state government entities continue to make decisions that have impact on local districts as well.

According to Smith, the legislature's Budget Conference Committee has indicated it would reduce its contributions to the district by an additional 3.1 percent, or approximately $1.9 million if approved by the legislature.

Though the fair share cuts must be approved by the legislature before being implemented, Smith said the district is being advised to not count the money into its budget next year.

Concurrent with the pending cuts, the district is engaging in contract negotiations with its teacher's union, the Sequoia District Teachers Association.

This month the district issued pink slips to 52.4 certificated full-time equivalents (FTEs) and 55 temporary adult school certificated staff members. The non-whole number of full-time equivalents results from partial cuts to certain teachers' hours, according to Smith.

A breakdown by school:

Not all the lay-offs are final, but are necessary for budgeting purposes, Smith said. These numbers are worse-case scenario if voters don't approve tax extensions and funding is not accrued.

"It is always difficult to notify our valued staff members that they may not be rehired in the fall," said Superintendent James Lianides.  "At the same time, we must continue to plan for the possibility of further reductions."

And in an attempt to avoid a similar budget crisis in the future, the district Board of Trustees members have bandied the idea of pursuing a parcel tax, in an effort to find a dedicated local funding source for the school district.

School districts across the state face fears of voter exhaustion, as they investigate the feasibility of passing local tax measures amidst discussions of the state potentially approaching voters with its tax extension proposal.

Locally, both the and San Mateo Foster City School District are among districts on the Peninsula actively polling support for the potential of floating a parcel tax to voters in the next year. The high school district may be one of the next to join that list.

Should the Board of Trustees decide to move forward in its pursuit of a parcel tax, Lianides acknowledged the importance of good time management, as it pertains to planning to pursue a parcel tax, as well as the value of early effort in the process.

"Trustees continue to raise the idea of pursuing a parcel tax in the Sequoia district," he said. "In those discussions, it is always acknowledged the lead time involved and the importance of timing."

But so long as budget uncertainties exist, the possibility for a parcel tax will remain on the table, said Lianides.