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Friday's Internet Edition, November 21, 2008.
Governor’s budget revise brings fewer cuts to elementary district
By Kymm Griffin
Staff Writer
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As school children across Galt count down the final days until summer, the Galt Joint Union Elementary School District is counting the proposed budget cuts coming from the Governor’s May budget revision.
During the May school board meeting, Assistant Superintendent Jim Bauler described the general budget as reflecting the “difficult financial times statewide.”
“It’s a tough year ahead,” said Bauler.
In contrast, Superintendent Karen Schauer again commended the board for having the courage to make the difficult decision in January to move forward with the district restructuring because it provides the district with a plan for moving forward and has produced “natural cuts” to the district’s payroll.
To date, the district has cut approximately $1.5 million from the budget. After the governor released the first budget draft in January, the district estimated the need to cut $2.4 million from the annual budget.
The new proposed budget does not cut the amount of money the district receives per student, but it also does not increase the amount. Maintaining the level of per student funding will save the district an estimated $500,000 from potential budget cuts.
Schauer said at the board meeting that the district isnot looking at cuts to student programs.
The May revised budget does include proposed cuts of 6.5 percent all other areas of school funding, such as transportation, class size reduction funds, and specially funded programs. But to provide some relief, the state is also proposing to loosen some of the restrictions on how some categories of money is spent. This would provide local school districts with more flexibility to ensure that students’ needs continue to be met.
Schauer also announced during the board meeting that the district has been awarded a four-year grant from the First 5 California Commission totaling $912,269 to be spent toward preschool and kindergarten readiness programs.
During the guest speaker portion of the meeting, band director Robin Richman updated the board members on her yearlong fundraising efforts to provide enough money to support a summer band program open to middle school students. Richman will be returning next year as the band director at McCaffrey and is looking forward to working with a talented pool of students. Richman enjoyed an outstanding year at Greer Middle School, earning the first superior rating in competition.
The band participated in fundraisers at the Rae House, performed during the Cesar Chavez Celebration at Greer Middle School, and at the Strawberry Festival. After a full year of fundraising for the sole purpose of raising money to pay summer school teacher salaries, the band is just $400 short of meeting its goal.
For more information or to make a donation, contact Richman at Greer Middle School at 745-2641.
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