PYLUSD State Budget Crisis

In case you were not aware our Placentia – Yorba Linda School District is dealing with a huge budget cut and financial crisis.  PYLUSD if being faced with a 15 million dollar cut back and will be making various reductions and budget cuts over the next three years. You can read the schools Superintendents message addressing the crisis here: PYLUSD State Budget Crisis.

I recently received an email that has been circulating from a local PTA mom with concerns about how the budget cuts and reductions may impact our locals schools. Here is a small part of the email:

I am writing to you to let you know of some events that have transpired in recent weeks and to ask for your help and your support.

You will find an email that I sent out to the parents at our school. It details my account of a meeting that took place about a week and a half ago at Rose Drive. The meeting was called to address the issue of school closures in our district for next year. We were particularly concerned at Rose Drive because of our small size and because of information I received that indicated we were in fact likely going to be presented to the School Board as an option for closure. What I was told at the meeting was that YES, there is in fact a list of schools that are being considered for closure. This “list’ contains 10 schools. I was not told which 10 schools they are.

Obviously, our district is in very troubling financial times. Because of budget cuts we are looking at cuts around 15 million dollars in the next three years. No one here can deny that things have to and have been changing because of this.

I have not been able to verify any of the information from the above the email about possible school closures.  The only facts I can verify are the ones posted on the PYLUSD website with these possible reductions to help balance the budget:

* Mid-year Retirement Incentive to certificated non-management employees.
* Streamlining programs and services.
* Energy savings.
* Categorical flexibility.
* Employee Cost Reduction – Furlough days are a distinct possibility and will be the topic of negotiations with employee bargaining groups.

The next meeting about our schools will be on December 15th, 2009 at 7:00pm in the District board room located at 1301 E. Orangethorpe Ave, Placentia. This would be a good opportunity to attend and become informed about what is happening in our schools and know the facts about what is being planned. Minutes from past meetings can be found here: Community Advisory Council Minutes.

What are your thoughts as parents about the current budget and how the district should handle this crisis? How are the cuts affecting your children or school? Let us know what you think.