School Officials Wary of New State Budget

Editor's note: This story is part of a nationwide Patch series probing the economy's effect on local schools.

School officials are being cautious about the state's latest budget, which could erase a $3.4 million deficit they were expecting in 2012.

The Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District learned earlier this month the state no longer intends to move ahead with planned cuts to public education.

"The budget is not as bleak as we expected," said Susan Kinder, chief business official. "But the state budget is based on shaky assumptions."

Those assumptions include an increase in state revenue and additional federal dollars — money that may not come, Kinder said.

The district has plenty of reasons to be skeptical. Last year it reduced its workforce by 52 full-time employees to cut $9 million and balance its current budget of $102 million. In addition, the closure of Don Gaspar De Portola Elementary, three furlough days and larger class sizes were implemented to save money and help close the deficit. 

If the state's financial predictions prove correct, the district would see an increase in revenue this year of about $3.5 million in one-time funding.

Still, officials said they are wary of the news.

"The state continues to over promise and under deliver on funding," said Stewart Gary, school board president.

Gary said the new state budget promises a bit more money this year, then defers the rest of the additional funding into the next fiscal year. That money could end up not materializing in the spring.

"We are spending down our reserves while also cutting, while also improving test scores," he said. "At some point we can't cut our way out of the problem, and we need to legally maintain some reserves, so when we hit bottom the state has to fund a baseline, acceptable education for California's school children."

The reductions have resulted in higher class sizes.

Kathryn Rambo, a senior at Livermore High School, said students are being impacted by the increase in the number of students per classroom.

"Many classes don't have enough desks for the extra students," she said. "I've seen people sitting at the teacher's desk and lab tables that are set off to the side. We have more students in our classes than we are used to having."

The class sizes also have affected teachers.

Educators have had to adjust how they prepare curriculum and teach, said Jennie Unger, vice president for the Livermore Education Association.

"We know the district's hands are tied as far as what they can do because money is not there right now," she said.  "But our teachers are troopers and professionals. Whatever comes their way they are willing to do the best they can for the students."

Kinder is scheduled to present an updated budget at the Nov. 16 school board meeting. Trustees will then likely schedule a budget workshop.