KELSEYVILLE — The Kelseyville Unified School District cut 11 teachers and five staff members positions on May 11 during a quiet district Board of Trustees meeting that lasted seven minutes.
Rick Winer, president of the board said he was sitting at the special meeting with knots in his stomach before the unanimous vote.
“I feel terrible,” Winer said. “I don”t like to see anybody losing positions. It”s one of the most difficult decisions I, and other board member have to make.”
The district estimates it will have a combined shortfall of $1.9 million in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 budgets, Superintendent Dave McQueen said. “The gap could increase with the budget cuts and layoffs.” He thinks the district will make its mark of cutting $1 million for the 2010-11 budget. However, a year from now the district will have to look at the numbers again in an effort to cut $900,000.
“Unfortunately, 80 percent of our budget is salary and benefits,” McQueen said. “Where you have the most of the money you have to do most of the paring back. It”s not what we want to do. Hopefully, things will get better and we will bring back people.”
The district cut three full-time high school teachers, two middle school teachers and 5.5 full-time equivalent elementary school teachers, McQueen said. A groundskeeper, two cooks, a computer trainer and a clerk were also cut. They will work until the end of the school year. The district made the cuts to teaching staff based on seniority, credentials, program and contracts.
Class sizes in the district will go up, but not above the contracted maximum of 30 students. The core education program will not change and the schools are still keeping music programs for a well-rounded education.
McQueen said the district is also looking at limiting facility usage and consolidating sites. “It”s been kind of ongoing with the budget crisis. Every year we”ve had to lay more and more people off because the state is taking more and more money.”
Last summer the district went through the process and laid off eight positions, but then brought back six teachers. During the 2009-10 school year the district was able to keep some employees, but “2010-11 is a much more difficult task,” McQueen said.
“Well, it”s definitely more difficult on everyone,” he said. “It”s more difficult on students, parents and the district.”
The district also cut administrative staff in the past, with one principal at two sites, no vice principal at the middle school or high school and McQueen acting as the administrator for alternative education, he said.
Winer agreed that the schools could provide more quality education if the state funded them at the level it mandates, he said.
Because of declining enrollment, the district also gets less money from the state because it bases funding on average daily attendance, McQueen said. Fifty students left during this school year, McQueen thinks because there are few open jobs in the county.
“I think the trend will continue until the economy stabilizes,” McQueen said.
McQueen encouraged parents and community members to get involved with the Kelseyville Education Foundation to help bring in money to the district. People can also volunteer by contacting teachers or school administrators. He also recommended parents write their legislatures to urge them to fix the budget and stop cutting education.
“The staff that we do have are highly trained professionals who teach the students and make sure the students are getting what they need to make it in the world,” McQueen said. “Kelseyville will get through this and come back stronger.”
