Community Commentary:

The Glendale Unified School District stands to be hit with a projected loss in income of more than $8.8 million in the middle of this school year should the Legislature approve Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed cuts to school districts.

Additional reductions are also proposed for child care and categorical programs. In an informational bulletin, Glendale Supt. Michael Escalante wrote, “It is unclear at this time if this [reduction] would be a one-time reduction or whether it would be carried forward into 2009-10. If it is carried forward into 2009-10, it would mean a reduction of $17.7 million to the Glendale schools within the next 20 months.”

A cut of this magnitude could be devastating and ruinous to a school district.

Very fortunately, however, because of fiscal prudence and responsible planning, Glendale has amassed sufficient reserves to mitigate some, not all, of the devastating reductions. Over the years, the superintendent and school board members took careful measures to maintain the fiscal integrity of the school district. All of us saw the reality and read the ominous forecasts from the state budget analyst and the financial gurus about the state economy and the budget. A budget reserve was established in Glendale to avoid dire consequences.

During last week’s board of education budget deliberations, a number of questions and ideas were discussed relative to midyear budget cuts. It is important to keep in mind that the district spends 85% of its budget on teacher and staff salaries. Any cuts made in any program or office will impact and reduce district teachers and staff, since the savings come from reducing positions.

One way to reduce costs is through an increase in class size. The district staff mentioned that an increase in the average class size by one student in each class in grades four through 12 would result in a savings of $1.2 million for one year. Such an increase is difficult in midyear, however, because students are already in their classes, and teachers are hired on an annual contract. And the district has already increased class size previously, and further increases would be contrary to our mission to reduce rather than increase class size. Another figure that staff provided has to do with the cost of a 1% salary increase. Staff stated that the cost of a 1% salary increase would be slightly more than $1 million.