Feb 28, 2008

Dear Colleagues,

　　It is no secret that we are in the midst of one of the worst economic times in recent state history．Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed＄14 billion in cuts, which means cuts to parks, prisons, and yes, education．For our school district that figure translates to＄12 million．We must have planned cuts in place before June 30．

　　We have been meeting with representatives of all the unions and management staff and a community-based budget(预算)committee to talk about ways of making budget cuts．We created a special link on the district website to provide information on budget cuts across the county．I’ve produced two videos, also placed on the special“Budget Update”link on the website．These videos have outlined what we’re doing to look at all programs across the district in our efforts to save money．We’re beginning a campaign where we’re going to encourage all of our employees and parents to write, call, and email their legislators(立法委员)to spare education from big cuts．

　　Despite the efforts we made to keep the cuts as far away from classroom as possible, we know we will have some serious decisions to make．With 87% of our budget going to employee salaries and benefits, we know these cuts may affect people．We’re hoping that those thinking of retiring will tell us soon so that we can also place people in those positions, if possible．We’re hoping that we can place people into open positions．

　　These conversations are not easy．I promise you, however, that we will be honest and open with you-that we will share with you all the information that was considered in making decisions．

　　Thank you for all you do for the students of our school district．

Sincerely,

Superintendent

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Feb 28, 2008

Dear Colleagues,

　　It is no secret that we are in the midst of one of the worst economic times in recent state history．Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed ＄14 billion in cuts, which means cuts to parks, prisons, and yes, education．For our school district that figure translates to ＄12 million．We must have planned cuts in place before June 30．

　　We have been meeting with representatives of all the unions and management staff and a community-based budget committee to talk about ways of making budget cuts．We created a special link on the district website to provide information on budget cuts across the county．I've produced two videos, also placed on the special“Budget Update”link on the website．These videos have outlined what we're doing to look at all programs across the district in our efforts to save money．We're beginning a campaign where we're going to encourage all of our employees and parents to write, call, and email their legislators(立法委员)to spare education from big cuts．

　　Despite the efforts we made to keep the cuts as far away from classroom as possible, we know we will have some serious decisions to make．With 87％ of our budget going to employee salaries and benefits, we know these cuts may affect people．We're hoping that those thinking of retiring will tell us soon so that we can also place people in those positions, if possible．We're hoping that we can place people into open positions．

　　These conversations are not easy．I promise you, however, that we will be honest and open with you－that we will share with you all the information that was considered in making decisions．

　　Thank you for all you do for the students of our school district．

　　Sincerely, Jesus M Gandara, Ed．D．Superintendent

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