Superintendent's Message
from Dr. George Mannon
March 03, 2008
The 2008 calendar year so far has been overshadowed by the drastic budget proposal presented by the Governor back in January. The state deficit has been growing exponentially, and is estimated to only get worse by the time the Governor presents his revised budget in May. For TUSD, this translates into cuts in every area, especially the classroom. School districts all over California must balance their budgets by the end of June based on the revised budget, in May. Since 2001, TUSD has reduced over $15 million from its budgets and the current cuts are the largest our District has ever had to make. Our Board of Education and I are outraged at being put in a position where we have to continuously make cut after cut, forcing us to eliminate programs and services we provide to the students and parents of TUSD.
In an effort to include everyone in the budget process, we have made every attempt to provide ample information to stakeholders by conducting a School Finance 101 session as well as providing the opportunity to community members to address the Board with their comments, concerns, and suggestions at a Board Cabinet workshop before any final decisions were made. Taking those suggestions into consideration as well as our staff recommendations, the Board has approved a budget reduction totaling about $9.4 million.
In the next few months if the State budget continues to worsen, come May, we may be looking at another round of cuts. Some of the suggestions made by community members are being researched and those cuts may be implemented at that time. TUSD continues to engage stakeholders in this difficult fiscal time to ensure everyone affected is given a chance to voice their comments and concerns.
I want to thank everyone who has been a part of the letter writing campaign and has contacted their legislators in order to let them know that we, as a community, and as a State, do not want, and will not stand for such drastic cuts to education!
