School district trying to get grasp on impacts of budget cuts
SVUSD stands to lose $7.2 million

The Simi Valley Unified School District Board of Education is working with school district staff to gather information on the fiscal impact of the governor's budget proposal released on Jan. 10.

The proposal calls for cuts to kindergarten through grade 12 students and schools by reducing Proposition 98 funding by $400 million in the current school year and suspending Proposition 98 funding for 2008-2009.

Under the governor's proposed budget, the Simi Valley Unified School District would lose an estimated $7.2 million in 2008-2009 due to the reduction of Proposition 98 funding and program funding.

"Without a doubt, our students will be negatively impacted by the governor's budget proposal because it cuts funding for daily services and programs in our schools," said Dr. Kathryn Scroggin, district superintendent. "The SVUSD Board of Education will strongly and repeatedly urge our state legislators and the governor to represent our students by ensuring education dollars stay in the classroom."

District staff issued a report on the fiscal impact of the governor's proposed budget at a special board of education meeting held on Feb. 19.

At the Feb. 26 regular meeting, the board passed a resolution in opposition to the governor's budget proposal.

"Our students did not cause this budget crisis and our board will do everything it can to stave off these massive budget cuts so we can continue providing the highest quality education possible," Scroggin said.

Without identifying specific budget reductions, the board committed to make necessary cuts as far away from the classroom as possible.

For more information on the proposed budget cuts, visit www.simi.k12.ca.us or call Lowell Schultze at (805) 3064509.