Santa Rosa Schools facing hard choices

<p>Shortening the school year, reconfiguring or closing campuses and increasing class sizes were among the big-dollar choices being considered Wednesday by Santa Rosa City Schools trustees.</p><p>Sonoma County's largest school district is bracing for more than $10 million in cuts over two years.</p><p>“We have to look at items that will give us large sums,” said trustee Wally Lowry. “Libraries, closing a school - those are large sums. Those we'll probably pay more attention to. We have done all we can.”</p><p>The district last spring slashed $8.5 million from its two-year budget, a move that pushed class sizes in kindergarten through third grade from 20 students to 22 and increased ninth grade math and English classes from 20 to 24 pupils.</p><p>The district also closed Lewis Adult School, reduced its busing program and used more than $10 million in federal stimulus dollars to stave off deeper program cuts and extensive layoffs.</p><p>Board members expressed some frustration that those moves have lulled the public into believing the budget woes are over.</p><p>“There are going to be major cuts, it's just a matter of what,” said board member Tad Wakefield. “Santa Rosans just need to start complaining. We can talk and talk, but nothing seems to happen, the public doesn't seem to get alarmed...until sports (are) gone or until their class size is 40 to one. I just want the public to understand, here it comes, it is not going to be a surprise.”</p><p>Board members spent an hour reviewing a list of almost all of the district's spending so that conversations about cuts can become more specific at the Sept. 23 meeting.</p><p>Associate Superintendent Doug Bower warned trustee that decisions such as school closures, program reconfiguration or shortening the school year need to be made soon.</p><p>“You have to start determining now what next year is going to look like so it can happen,” he said.</p><p>Among the considerations are shortening the current and upcoming school year by up to five days - a change made possible when the state allowed districts to drop from 180 instructional days to 175 to save money.</p><p>Any change to the school calendar has to be negotiated with affected unions, and two representatives of teachers, counselors, food service workers and others spoke out against any plan to cut school days.</p><p>“We can afford a full school year, we cannot afford to cut it,” Dan Evans, teachers' union president, said. “Furloughs do not belong in Santa Rosa City Schools. We don't need them.”</p><p>Cutting five days would represent a cut in teacher pay of about 2.5 percent.</p><p>Melodee Bettman, president of the union that represents office staff, food service workers and classroom assistants, said a five day cut in pay will represent a hardship on members. </p><p>“Please keep in mind the effects on all of us, the teachers, everyone in the district, even the lowest paid employees, some of whom have to seek assistance during the summer, and even during school year, to make it right now,” she said. “We ask that you proceed cautiously.”</p><p>Trustee Frank Pugh said all options must be considered in the coming weeks and months.</p><p>“Large class sizes, the whole idea of the number of schools in our district, what programs we are going to have,” he said. “Are we going to have sports programs? Are we going to have libraries anymore? Are we going to have counselors anymore?”</p>