As Milpitas students prepare to head back to the classroom on Aug. 24 the harsh reality that families in the city and around the state will face is a transition from the once-evolving educational programs now scaling back to basics.
In the latest chapter of California's ongoing fiscal woes, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger passed a budget on July 28 with a number of line-item cuts meant to close a $24-billion hole.
The cuts to education were lower than some of the previous local projected deficits, Superintendent Karl Black said, since the numbers closely followed the May revise.
"We had a heads up on where they were going," he said.
Acting ahead of time to what they knew would be an undoubtedly dire outcome, two months ago the Milpitas Unified School Board of Education approved making $400,000 in cuts in three areas cutting an assistant principal at the elementary school level; canceling summer school programs with the exception of the high school, Special Education and Stepping Up to Algebra classes; and canceling Community Day School, instead housing a self-contained program to take its place at the district office behind Calaveras Hills High School. This came in addition to the approximately $2 million in budget cuts for 2009-10 already approved by the Board of Education.
After all these cuts, Black said the district still foresees a $6-million deficit during the next two years.
"It's pretty devastating for public education and for us," he responded.
So as families and students gear up for the 2009-10 school year, here are some of the changes Black said they can expect to see within the district:
Program changes
-An increase of classroom sizes to more than 30 students in third-grade classes, as well as ninth-grade math and English.
-Charging fees for busing kindergarten to third-graders, with the exception of special education students and Title I children which includes those who are enrolled in the Federal Free or Reduced Lunch Program. The cost will be $2 a day per student, a $360 total for a 180-day school year. Although the fee may seem minimal, Black recognizes it as a hardship.
"To go from zero to $360 is obviously tough on the parents," he said. "This is the first time we've ever gone down this road of charging. We'll see how many people sign up."
-Eliminating the elementary school music program. There will instead be an outside, fee-based program that will cost $30 a month per student.
-Closing the Milpitas High School swimming pool.
-Continuing to sheer away from supporting other Milpitas athletic programs.
Managerial cuts, consolidations
In addition to cutting an assistant principal at the elementary school level, Black said there are other managerial cuts that will further the consolidation of different services within the district.
Parents and students can expect the loss of:
-A counselor at the high school level. There is now one counselor for 800 kids at Milpitas High.
-A school resource officer.
-Custodial staff, including one custodian, some grounds-people and secretaries.
-One librarian to oversee the entire district.
Even though the school district has been slashing funding to numerous sources in recent months Black only expects the list of cutbacks to grow.
"That's just the start of it," he said after listing next year's changes. "We've made so many cuts in the district, we're just providing basics. ... I hate to say it, but more than likely it's going to get more and more difficult. Our quality of education ... the services we will provide, will be less and less."
And when the services do come to the chopping block, Black said they are made "across the board."
Reacting to the growing fiscal difficulties, district officials will soon look at taking other actions. In November, residents can expect to see a survey about the possibility of a parcel tax. If the approval rating looks favorable Black said they have hopes to begin a campaign in the spring. On the other hand, if they garner little support, they will have to "sit down and see what we have." Other than cutting programs further, Black said, "that's our only way of receiving funds."
Even though older residents may no longer have children going through the system, he said there are crucial factors they should understand about living in a city that maintains a strong school district.
"Strong schools raise property values," he said. "New families want to come to a city that is ... well-funded. That's why we have to go out to our voters."
In recent years, even during the budget fiasco, Milpitas Unified School District has accrued a number of awards. Among the list, Community Day School was honored during the 2004-05 school year for having the "best program" in the state of California; only two schools out of 365 Community Day schools throughout the state were honored. Rancho Milpitas Middle School was selected as one of only four middle schools throughout California to receive the "School to Watch" recognition in 2004-05. And throughout the years, Thomas Russell and Rancho Milpitas middle schools, along with Spangler, William and Zanker Elementary schools have all been selected as California Distinguished Schools.
"If you drive around Milpitas and look at our schools, we have a good curb appeal," Black said. "You look at our test scores for the last seven years and they've been on the rise, along with the awards we've won. To see it little by little go away, mainly because we can't afford them, is very disheartening."
So no matter what cuts the district is forced to make, be it in programs or teaching, custodial and managerial funding, "these are the hardest times that you can imagine for us," Black said. "Whether it's a custodian or ... principal, everybody has an affect on our classroom. It takes a village."
*******
Your feedback is welcomed. Please post a comment on this story.
