Blog Entries - Julie's Board Blog
On Tuesday, Feb. 23, the SDUSD Board met yet again to sort through the messy 2010/11 school year budget. The first round of the budget has to be turned in by March 15 with the final budget approved in June. The Board Members went through the suggested budget cuts line by line and voted as to whether they agreed or disagreed with the proposal.
I believe they all voted in favor of, except John deBeck voted against, charging parents per bus rider. The proposed charge is $328 per year per rider. Free/Reduced lunch participants would not have to pay to ride the bus.
The meeting started with quite a few public speakers. Most of the speakers were representing Learning Centers, OCILE, Librarians, and Special Education. Because so many people signed up to talk, each was allowed only one minute, which is not much time.
I spoke as a parent with a daughter at Longfellow. I said we were discouraged with the bus charge, however, we were ecstatic that busing was not completely cut. I urged the Board and staff to work with each dedicated magnet school to develop economic busing solutions. Our goal is to keep our full busses full and still coming to Longfellow. I was able to read a bit of just one of our student letters written by student Lyric G. (5th grader). She said that regarding busing
" ... no students can make it to school. With no students, the school could shut down. Our school is special. We learn in Spanish. That means its double the work, and double the challenge. I love to learn. We need education help us go to college, and lead better lives, and better futures."
Thanks to our students for writing the letters which helps to get their voices heard.
I believe that 1/2 day Kindergarten is still on the list. As well as removing librarians, library techs, and nurses. There are salary cuts, OCILE program changes, and other nasty cuts. For the most up-to-date documents, pleaseclick here to view the SDUSD Board documents.
In the end, President Barrera again urged the San Diego community to put pressure on the Governor's office to fund Education. The next budget comes out in May from the Governor. Please, keep sending emails, making phone calls, and writing letters to our elected Sacramento representatives. Fund Education!
Until March 9...
Julie Moore
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