Turlock school board works to trim budget

TURLOCK — School board trustees learned Tuesday night just how painful getting rid of a $3.4 million deficit could be: no buses to take students to gifted and talented programs or magnet schools. Fewer high school counselors. Slashing outdoor education.

The Turlock Unified School District Board of Trustees hashed over a list of 18 proposed budget cuts to make up the rest of next year's deficit, from taking away extra pay for teachers who work during their preparation period to across-the-board cuts of 10 percent to schools and district departments.

Trustees took no vote on the proposals Tuesday but are expected to do so April 21.

"It certainly makes me cringe on the counselors, it makes me cringe on the transportation and makes me cringe on the outdoor education," Trustee John Sims said. "Those hurt, but we're in a very hurtful time."

Parent Ilaen Marron, whose son goes to Walnut Elementary Education Center's science program, begged trustees to keep busing for magnet programs. She said her son and others on the city's west side would miss out on an experience that has enriched their lives.

"I know he's able to know more about the world than I did," Marron said.

Turlock will use its reserves to cover most of the $4 million shortfall this year, but officials were charged with finding an additional $6.5 million in cuts from a $120 million budget for 2009-10, which starts July 1.

The district found $1 million in savings by taking schools off year-round schedules and closing Crane School's full-day kindergarten.

Salary cuts approved

Nearly all the district's employee groups stepped up to approve $2 million in cuts to their salaries and benefits, which the board approved Tuesday night. The district still is negotiating with the California School Employees Association, which represents classified employees including bus drivers and classroom aides.

Turlock teachers voted March 26 to take a half- percent salary cut, pay $33 more per month for health benefits and take one unpaid furlough day when students are not in school, adding up to $1.6 million in savings. The average district class size also will increase by one student.

In response, the board voted unanimously to take back 126 layoff warnings that were given to teachers and administrators, which was met with a healthy round of applause.

Board members praised union groups for their cooperation but cautioned that the toughest cuts were ahead. "I don't think it's time to declare victory and go home," Sims said.

In other action, the board heard the results of a community survey to gauge support for a $14 million bond issue to build a stadium at Pitman High School and remodel the Turlock High School stadium. Superintendent Sonny Da Marto said support did not top the necessary 55 percent needed to pass a bond and suggested the board wait for better economic times. "This is a big risk," Da Marto said. "We're only going to get one shot at this."

Bee staff writer Merrill Balassone can be reached at mbalassone@modbee.com or 578-2337.