Districts low on cash
In the midst of California's budget crisis, a number of Inland Valley school districts have hoisted red flags, expressing uncertainty about their financial futures to county and state education officials.
So far this school year, five Inland Valley school districts - Alta Loma, Central, Chino Valley Unified, Etiwanda and Pomona Unified - have submitted interim financial reports that included a "qualified" certification. The notation indicates that the district might not be able to balance its budgets in the current or next two fiscal years.
"The primary reasons why I recommended the district submit a 'qualified' report is because I can't stand up in front of the board and the community and say I know what our cash balance is going to be in three years," said Jim Ashton, the assistant superintendent of administrative services for Alta Loma School District
So far this school year, five Inland Valley school districts - Alta Loma, Central, Chino Valley Unified, Etiwanda and Pomona Unified - have submitted interim financial reports that included a "qualified" certification. The notation indicates that the district might not be able to balance its budgets in the current or next two fiscal years.
"The primary reasons why I recommended the district submit a 'qualified' report is because I can't stand up in front of the board and the community and say I know what our cash balance is going to be in three years," said Jim Ashton, the assistant superintendent of administrative services for Alta Loma School District
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State law requires that county officials have a fiscal adviser resolve a "qualified" district's issues.
"The worst-case scenario for these districts is that the county can overrule the board decision if the district can't put a plan in place," said Christine McGrew, a spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Office.
An increasing number of school districts in the state have reported doubt about the ability to meet future financial obligations, McGrew said.
"While it has been difficult to make the choices and decisions they've made, it's becoming even more difficult to find more places to cut this school year and the next," she said.
Teacher layoffs, shortened school years, furloughs, early- retirement packages and increased class sizes are just a few of the cost-cutting measures that school districts have already or plan to implement.
But that's not always enough.
"We do have a budget group that is made up of teachers and management that are looking at all kinds of aspects that we can incorporate to the budget," said Lori Isom, the assistant superintendent of business services for Central School District, which includes schools in Rancho Cucamonga.
Central's cost-saving proposals in its preliminary budget include the closure of the district warehouse and laying off several drivers. Closing a school is also being considered.
"It is a solution of the last resort and takes much planning and working with the community to implement properly," Central Superintendent Sharon Nagel said.
The Alta Loma district has been in a cost-cutting and monitoring mode for the past decade, Ashton said.
"The problem is that it's going to hit the students in that we can't do anything new. We're maintaining what we have," he said.
"New technology, techniques, programs and anything that costs money is being put on the back burner, and in education we shouldn't be maintaining, we should be moving forward."
Etiwanda district officials are considering a number of measures, which include postponing art textbook adoption, eliminating summer school, increasing class sizes and implementing furloughs.
"We are working on our multiyear projection, and, hopefully, when we submit our end-of-year report, we'll know more about both negotiated and non-negotiated actions and what type of savings that will give us," said Doug Claflin, Etiwanda's assistant superintendent of business services.
As revenues decline, districts are also dipping into their reserves to balance budgets.
Officials from many districts that turned in "qualified" reports contend their reserves will dip below a minimum percentage required by the state, which puts them at greater financial risk.
"This year and last, we were able to keep the cuts away from the kids as much as possible," Claflin said. "It's now going to be hitting our classroom, and the next years are going to be more difficult."
State law requires that county officials have a fiscal adviser resolve a "qualified" district's issues.
"The worst-case scenario for these districts is that the county can overrule the board decision if the district can't put a plan in place," said Christine McGrew, a spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Office.
An increasing number of school districts in the state have reported doubt about the ability to meet future financial obligations, McGrew said.
"While it has been difficult to make the choices and decisions they've made, it's becoming even more difficult to find more places to cut this school year and the next," she said.
Teacher layoffs, shortened school years, furloughs, early- retirement packages and increased class sizes are just a few of the cost-cutting measures that school districts have already or plan to implement.
But that's not always enough.
"We do have a budget group that is made up of teachers and management that are looking at all kinds of aspects that we can incorporate to the budget," said Lori Isom, the assistant superintendent of business services for Central School District, which includes schools in Rancho Cucamonga.
Central's cost-saving proposals in its preliminary budget include the closure of the district warehouse and laying off several drivers. Closing a school is also being considered.
"It is a solution of the last resort and takes much planning and working with the community to implement properly," Central Superintendent Sharon Nagel said.
The Alta Loma district has been in a cost-cutting and monitoring mode for the past decade, Ashton said.
"The problem is that it's going to hit the students in that we can't do anything new. We're maintaining what we have," he said.
"New technology, techniques, programs and anything that costs money is being put on the back burner, and in education we shouldn't be maintaining, we should be moving forward."
Etiwanda district officials are considering a number of measures, which include postponing art textbook adoption, eliminating summer school, increasing class sizes and implementing furloughs.
"We are working on our multiyear projection, and, hopefully, when we submit our end-of-year report, we'll know more about both negotiated and non-negotiated actions and what type of savings that will give us," said Doug Claflin, Etiwanda's assistant superintendent of business services.
As revenues decline, districts are also dipping into their reserves to balance budgets.
Officials from many districts that turned in "qualified" reports contend their reserves will dip below a minimum percentage required by the state, which puts them at greater financial risk.
"This year and last, we were able to keep the cuts away from the kids as much as possible," Claflin said. "It's now going to be hitting our classroom, and the next years are going to be more difficult."
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