School needs that didn't survive a final budget cut will be the chief topic of discussion with the Escondido Union School District board Wednesday.
Trims in state funding for 2008-09 left the elementary-and middle-school district with a long list of “unfunded priorities” – programs and positions that administrators regard as real needs, not frills.
The Escondido board wound up its normal budget process June 25, hoping at least some of the items could be put back into the spending plan once the state Legislature and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger complete working on an overall state budget.
Superintendent Jennifer Walters said yesterday that she plans to brief the board on what has already been put back into the budget and what is left to consider “if and when the state budget is settled.”
There are no immediate policy decisions facing the board because of the uncertainty in Sacramento, she said.
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Escondido Union school board meeting
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Carilyn Gilbert Education Center, 2310 Aldergrove Ave.
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In previous meetings, several members have said they hope to reinstate eight elementary-school librarians who were cut from the 2008-09 budget. In making the cuts, the board reluctantly decided to have its elementary librarians split their time between two schools apiece, leaving each library closed more than half the week. (Oak Hill Elementary was the only school spared from the cut.)
If additional money is provided, the board would likely reconsider a reduction in work hours for its nonteaching staff. Under the April 10 decision, most support employees would lose 11 to 12 days from their 2008-09 work schedule to save money. Managers are losing seven days' pay.
“If there were big dollars that came back, I think they would also look at kindergarten class-size reduction and maybe some more counseling,” Walters said.
Also on the agenda for Wednesday is a discussion of the district's instructional focus for the coming school year, which will bring a second year of emphasis on reading comprehension.
Jeff Ristine: (760) 737-7578; jeff.ristine@uniontrib.com
