Simi Valley Unified School District is bracing for the state to cut funding for the 2009-10 school year from 180 days of instruction to 175.

Facing a $42-billion deficit, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has also proposed eliminating class-size caps for kindergarten through third grade classes. Such a measure would potentially increase the numbers in K-3 classrooms, currently capped at 20 students per teacher, and cause the elimination of teacher positions.

The immediate future looks bleak, but with all the uncertainty shrouding the state's budget, school districts like Simi Valley Unified are left to take a wait-and-see approach.

"We have no idea what the state is going to pass for a state budget," said Simi Valley school board president Eric Lundstrom. "Simi Valley, Moorpark, Conejo Valley and Las Virgenes—everyone is feeling the heat."

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell echoed that sentiment in his State of Education address in Sacramento on Tuesday.

"With more than half of the school year completed, our schools are faced with staggering, immediate budget cuts," O'Connell said. "The budget being negotiated may result in current-year reduction to education funding of $10 billion."

With those possibilities in mind, the school district has been forced to reduce spending wherever it can.

"We have put restrictions on all expenditures at this time" unless it affects student learning, said Lowell Schultze, associate superintendent of business and facilities.

Don Gaudioso, assistant superintendent of personnel services, said that the district is talking with union representatives about the possible effect of a shortened school year. Gaudioso said Simi teachers are currently under contract for 185 paid days.

If the governor's proposed plan for a 175day school calendar passes, Lundstrom thinks the shorter schedule would put a greater burden on teachers to implement the same curriculum in less time, and the district would more likely cut staff development or training days.

Most states have at least a 180day school year. Kansas has the longest school year at 186 days, while Colorado has the lowest number of required days at 160.

Schultze has said the district is considering dipping into its reserves to stay balanced financially. The state has already temporarily cut off all funding for modernization projects, but more drastic cuts could be on the way.

"The reserves are there for an emergency situation," Lundstrom said. "If you have to borrow into your reserves, you have to borrow into your reserves. They're there for a rainy day—and the storm is now hitting."

Schultze told the board the district may, if necessary, consider borrowing money from the Ventura County Office of Education.

The board of education will take a closer look at possible cuts and revisions to the school year during a budget workshop meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tues., Feb. 10 in the Floyd Binns Room at the district office, 875 E. Cochran Avenue, Simi Valley.