School District Begins Outlining Budget Cuts

Redondo Beach Unified School District officials will look to increase their kindergarten through third grade class size to make up for a looming revenue shortfall, according to a budget proposal unveiled Tuesday.

At a study session for the board of education, administrators laid out what's likely to be cut at the schools next year as state contributions to school districts are expected to decrease. Among the proposed cuts is increasing the k-3 class size from the current 24.8 students per class to 27 students per class to save $300,000.

It’s unclear whether the district will be facing a $160,000 shortfall or $2.7 million, and so administrators are putting together two budgets for next school year.

California legislators must decide by March whether to ask voters on the June ballot to extend three temporary tax increases that make all the difference to school districts.

If voters approve the extensions, which include vehicle, sales and withholding taxes, then school districts can count on more state money. But if voters reject the extensions, or if legislators decide not to put the question on the June ballot, then Redondo Unified, like all school districts, will be forced to make gashing cuts.

Worst Case

Administrators on Tuesday did not identify specific positions that would be cut, but rather spoke generally, identifying up to $500,000 in South Bay Adult School that could be saved through cuts; up to $300,000 in special education; up to $100,000 in maintenance and operations; and up to $100,000 in the district office.

Administrators met with the school principals and department heads while putting together a budget anticipating a $2.7 million shortfall.  

“We want to be sensitive to the fact that we have some beautiful facilities, and we don’t want to compromise the maintenance of those facilities,” said Superintendent Steven Keller, who along with other administrators made a power point presentation. “It’s a tough balancing act, but the reality is that we’re getting hammered by the state and we have to reduce.”

The board of education and administrators plan to hold two public meetings about the proposed budget cuts, and the different budget scenarios. Those dates have not been scheduled yet.

Besides increasing kindergarten through third grade class size, up to $250,000 in staff cuts would also be made at the elementary schools, according to the proposal. At the middle schools, $200,000 in staff reductions would be made.

At the high school, administrators identified $290,000 in staff cuts, which include $75,000 in athletic program reductions.

“Our athletic program costs money,” Keller said. “And sometimes that’s forgotten. I know we have some strong advocates on my team and on the board. I don’t think anyone would argue that athletics aren't a great part of our high school program. But the reality is, it’s money and we’re having to reduce so everybody has to tighten their belt here.”

In the administration building, one position would be eliminated, or furlough days might be implemented. Furlough days must be approved by the various employee associations. The total savings for one furlough day is $205,000, with $175,000 coming from teachers, $15,000 from non-teacher staff and $15,000 from administration.

IB Program

Board member Carl Clark asked how much the district could save by increasing the k-3 class sizes even more than the proposed 27 students. 

Janet Redella, the district’s chief business official, said that increasing class sizes above 27 students per class does not provide enough revenue in return. 

Board member Todd Lowenstein said that class sizes of 30 or more students would not appeal to many parents. "They'll go to a private school," Lowenstein said.

Keller said he anticipated criticism that the school board plans to implement the International Baccalaureate program at the high school next year at a cost of $100,000 while at the same time looking to make staff reductions to balance a budget. The IB program is a rigorous academic program largely for advanced students.

The administration and board of education support bringing the IB program to Redondo Union in 2012 in order to bulk up the academic prestige and standing of the school. However, several teachers and department heads have not supported the IB program, mostly because of the cost during a time of severe budget cuts.

“If we have a declining enrollment happening at the high school – I believe it’s 50 or so students less than last year – that’s a lot of money," Keller said. "We better have more of a reason for people to attend our high school… IB will bring us more kids.”

Keller noted that the district has a large number of temporary teachers, many of whom do not require notice for termination as their contracts expire on the last day of school. Other teachers must be notified by March 15 that they might lose their jobs.

Because administrators don’t know what the budget shortfall will be until June, teachers might receive notification of termination in March but might end up keeping their jobs. It all depends on whether the temporary taxes are extended.