School Superintendent Weighs Impact of Sequester Cuts

with its 7,500 students, stands to lose $360,0000 as a result of the so-called sequester, the automatic federal cuts that went into effect March 1.

Patch contacted Steve Bolman, superintendent of the school district, to find out how the sequester will affect local schools.

"We’re going to lose 5.9 percent of our federal funds," he said. "Out of an annual budget of $64 million it's a hit," he added, but not one likely to change plans to increase school days next year back to 180 per year.

Currently the school district is operating at the state minimum of 175 days per year. Bolman said they intend to dig deeper into reserve funds to get back to the 180-day school year.

Although the sequestered cuts in funds kick in immediately, it's not likely to have a direct impact on a school year that ends May 30, just a couple months away.

What are most directly affected by the reduction are federal Special Education funds, and Title 1 support for free and reduced lunches for low-income students.

But, Bolman pointed, out "The number of special education students doesn't change. And there are mandated services for them under federal law, so we can't cut those."

This leaves the Title 1 programs at greatest risk, the so-called "No Child Left Behind" programs.

Other areas of belt-tightening are cuts next school year (2013-2014) in classroom reading aids, instructional assistants, afterschool support to help students with homework, and possibly some jobs.

"We don’t anticipate any layoffs or changes this school year, but could call back fewer temporary teachers in the fall," said Bolman.

The school district has been operating on reduced funds for six years, said Bolman. “With Prop 30 passing we finally thought we were on stable footing after years of cuts.

"Now we have the sequester in the year when we are anticipating our first COLA [cost of living allowance] increase in six years.

"It’s disheartening.”

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