We have entered a season of significant events. Between now and June, the
Board of Education will prepare next year’s budget, we will enter into
negotiations with employee groups, and the class of 2009 will graduate on
June 4. Employee negotiations begin next month. Preparation of next
year’s District budget is already in full swing.
The budget deficit for next year is approximately $25 million. The Board
is adopting a multiple-solution approach in large measure because there is
no single solution to resolving the deficit. Much discussion will continue
to be held regarding the mix of program restructuring, budget reductions,
reassignment of employees, reductions in staff, tax increases, and employee
compensation. The relative roles of these elements have not been
finalized. It’s as challenging a year financially as I have ever seen in my
professional career. Coupled with the financial implications of the
District split, we are faced with sobering choices. There’s likely to be
lots of rumors about what will happen. Reliable information about how we
will meet our financial challenges will come through proper channels as
“official information.” Beware of “I heard . . .” this or that. Some of
what you hear may be true or close to the truth, some may be partly true,
and some will be absurd. I will keep you informed as we move through the
next several months to help you know what’s happening. We’re in this
together and we’ll find the solutions together.
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