Academic progress threatened by budget cuts

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Progress – with a dark cloud on the horizon – describes Wednesday night’s school board meeting. From construction activities to academic benchmarks, many of the updates presented to the board were called “steps in the right direction” by Board Member Geoff Goddard.

However, it was evident that underneath the generally positive atmosphere, the forthcoming 2011-2012 budget, which is likely to include at least $3 million in cuts, was on everyone’s minds.

Positives noted during the meeting included recognition that Pima Butte and Butterfield Elementary Schools are now exceeding academic benchmarks and that many other Maricopa schools are “knocking on the door” of that achievement. It was also reported that the maintenance and operations warehouse is on target for completion in May and that the MHS Performance Arts Building remains on schedule for September completion.

Mary Urich went into detail about the progressive effects of the Turnaround Projects, a program that works with students and teachers to improve overall school success and help meet state academic standards. 

Goddard asked what effects budget cuts might have on the program’s positive results. Urich said it depended on the ability of the teachers. “We will have to be more creative but we still have to reach those requirements and work with what we are given. Our requirements will not prevent any cuts.”

Board Member Carrie Vargas reported on her recent trip to Washington, D.C. with the Arizona School Board Association, and talked about difficulties MUSD may face in fulfilling federal mandates for Special Needs Children without federal assistance to fund them.

She said it was critical citizens speak out and write their state and federal representatives to express their concerns about education funding so legislators take their opinions into account when making appropriations.

When it came time for Superintendent Jeff Kleck to provide an update on the budget, all board members voiced concern about the lack of general awareness of budgetary processes and difficulties among Maricopa residents and school district staff.

Because of reductions in property tax revenue and state funding, the budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 will require $3 to $3.4 million in cuts, according to Kleck. That comes on top of $5 million in cuts made last fiscal year and in addition to an anticipated $2.5 to $3 million in cuts in the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

March 23 is the tentative date the new budget will be presented for initial review and it is expected to contain a number of lay offs of teachers.

Goddard suggested holding a town hall meeting to inform people of the dire state of the district budget. Board President Scott Bartle said any such meeting should be structured to solicit constructive opinions and suggestions, not just scare residents.

Board Member Patti Coutre suggested preliminary meetings be held at individual schools to raise awareness about the choices that are going to have to be made.

Bartle asked if Kleck had been consulting with principals and department heads as budgetary cuts are determined. Kleck said he has welcomed input from those staff members in discussion, as “everything is on a big white board that the Superintendent Advisory Committee has been looking at.”

Photo by Steven M. Thomas