During the first couple of months of this school year, the PTSA has been busily working at Palos Verdes High School to support students, faculty, staff and parents. We’ve been involved in producing and distributing nearly 2000 Student Directories; hosting a Welcome Back Luncheon for the teachers; participating in the Disaster Drill; sponsoring Red Ribbon Week, the Reflections contest, the English Department’s Writing Workshop and Mock Elections; making calls for the PEF’s annual Phonathon; and starting the gifting process whereby funds are allocated to meet the needs identified by teachers which not funded by the school district.
Speaking of money and school funding, parents should be aware that the PVPUSD District is facing yet another year of financial uncertainty, given the tenuous nature of our State’s economy. Because the State budget contains several faulty revenue assumptions, including borrowing against future lottery income, districts are being warned that budget cuts are likely during this school year. There are already indications the 2008-09 State budget is unraveling.
The Governor will release his proposed 2009-10 budget in January. No one is predicting good news. Districts are being told to assume no cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase for 2009-10, meaning there will be no new revenue for our schools. Moreover, the 2008-09 District budget includes $1.3 million from the “Save Our Teachers Now” campaign. Obviously, future budgets cannot count on that income as an ongoing source. It is difficult to imagine how the PVPUSD can maintain the quality and integrity of our schools’ educational programs with no increase in funding during these difficult economic times. Faced with rising costs and no revenue growth, the only viable way will be to cut spending.
On the expenditure side, District costs automatically increase every year by 1.5-2.0% (or $1.4 Million), based on various contracts and commitments already in place. Further, the continued lack of new revenue to cover the costs of mandated special education programs will exacerbate the already growing gap between special education revenues and expenditures. When these types of automatic cost increases, coupled with the loss of one time funds like SOTN, occur in a budget year when there is no new income, the District will be forced to make cuts in order to balance its budget.
What can you do? One simple way to influence the revenue side of the equation is to be sure that your students are in school every day possible. The District receives revenue from the State based on Average Daily Attendance, or ADA. Each day that a student misses school, the District loses about $40 in revenue from the State. Considering that there are nearly 12,000 pupils, unnecessary absences result in a significant amount of forfeited income. Simply by being in class, your student contributes to the funds available to our schools. Think carefully about keeping your kids out of school for reasons other than illness.
Longer term, keep current on the status of the State budget and its impact on education. Let your elected officials know how you feel about the resources being allocated to your children’s education and then vote accordingly. |
