Poway School Board Discusses Gov. Jerry Brown's Budget Revise

Gov. Jerry Brown's May Revise doesn't propose any further cuts to Poway Unified, but it is still $42 million less than needed, said Superintendent John Collins at the district's board meeting Tuesday.

The monthly meeting, which focused heavily on budget cuts—as in past meetings—included a presentation about what the budget revise means for the district should it be adopted by the Legislature, which is struggling to close a $10.8 billion deficit.

"We should be able to get through next year," said Collins. "We do have enough in reserves to get us through. ... Hopefully, it will be better than that."

According to Malliga Tholandi, associate superintendent of business support services, the May Revise is "slightly better" than the proposed budget in January. Tholandi said the lighter cut to education is due to an unexpected $6.6 billion jump in state revenue. Over all, though, the district received $143 million less in the past four years and will receive $1,283 less than expected per student.

Tholandi also said it is unknown whether the gap will need to be filled by making further cuts to education.

"What we have to remember is the budget is not balanced," she said. "[Brown] has until June 15 to bring it into balance. ... How much of this $10.8 billion is coming from education isn't known."

Frustration with a continued decrease in education funding was also expressed at the meeting.

"This is why class sizes are 20 percent higher ... because we're running on a deficit," said board member Marc Davis.

Board President Penny Ranftle, who serves as a delegate for the California School Boards Association, also blasted lawmakers.

Ranftle said the association will no longer attempt to meet with lawmakers because they've been unsuccessful.

"It's the same song and dance," she said. "We've seen a progression of rudeness."

She said the association would attempt to bring parents and teachers to meet with lawmakers and urge them to visit classrooms with "42 kids in them."

Though the May Revise has been released, Collins said it is still unclear how much the district will have and must wait for guidance from the San Diego County Office of Education. State lawmakers are expected to adopt a budget by June 15. After a budget is passed, the school board will adopt its district budget at the June 20 meeting and, from there, the district will create a multiyear projection.

 Other Notes:

• In a closed session, the board approved 14 California Exit Exam waiver requests for special education students.
• The board approved Janet Bernard as the new principal for in Rancho Bernardo.
• The board approved a resolution to reduce two teaching assistant positions and five warehouse positions.
• The board approved a resolution for the district to request a temporary transfer of funds from the County Treasurer to meet district cash flow needs in 2011-12 in the case of an emergency cash shortage.
• A number of students, teachers and schools were also recognized for their accomplishments, including Oak Valley Middle School which was named a 2011 California Distinguished School by the California Department of Education.
• , a graduating senior and student board member, attended her last meeting. She will be replaced by Poway High's Gustavo Lopez (Check back with Patch for a full profile on Lopez).