SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- The San Diego Union School District may have to cut $117 million from its 2017-18 budget, and school reform groups think layoffs are the only way to make that happen.
The District’s financial office will make recommendations on the budget at Tuesday night's board meeting.
But District Spokesman Shari Winet says tonight’s meeting is all about preparing for the future, not making any decisions.
“A lot depends on what happens in Sacramento,” she said in a statement to 10News.
“The district’s budget relies heavily on the budget passed by the state – typically in June. And, given that the Governor will not publicly present his budget until next month, all district staff is doing at this time is preparing for contingencies.”
SDUSD gave a 4% raise to teachers and employees last month, despite concerns over the upcoming budget. School Reform Advocates say that shows the district cares more about its pay rates than about its students.
“No one in the private sector is receiving raises as generous and as often as San Diego Unified School Board has given its employees,” said Sally Smith, one such advocate.
“Instead of pushing that money out for the benefit of the children, such as field trips and school supplies, it continues to add central office staff… If 92% of your budget is employees and benefits, the only place to cut is employees. It’s going to mean layoffs in SDUSD.”
The meeting Tuesday night is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the district offices in Hillcrest.
