MTLSD discusses budget shortfalls, layoffs and program cuts

At the February 13, 2012 meeting, the School Board discussed the million dollars "out of balance" in the budget. I heard phrases like "Be prudent" and "Prioritize cuts as far away from the classroom as possible." But when a resident brought up the high school project, Josephine Posti said that we would have had this budget shortfall like all the other districts in the Commonwealth are experiencing, without the high school renovation.  She also said that we have to look at history in terms of increases. I guess that is how they are rationalizing this mess.  We can't say that we didn't warn them.  Someone suggested that I put links to various articles suggesting areas to cut. I started with this one Mt. Lebanon superintendent to get 3.5% raise Now we are waiting to hear from Jan Klein and Dr. Tim where they recommend cuts. Uh, do you think they will look at their own increases?  I don't think so either.
So I started to list links of warning signs or budget cuts suggested on this blog.

It's crunch time.
Here's an idea from the staff planning team - close an elementary school.
USC teachers facing job cuts
John Allison's Parting Gift for Mt. Lebanon
What went wrong?
State Budget Cuts Slice Local Education
If You Are Not a Retired Teacher, Be Afraid of The State Budget
Corbett's Budget Cuts

There are so many more, that I gave up. Currently, there are 507 posts and the majority of them have something to do with the fiscal irresponsibility on the part of the school board, not to mention www.lebocitizens.com.  Just read the archives, Josephine, if you want to look at history.

Here in La-La Land, we forge ahead

Due to lower enrollment, Upper St. Clair is not replacing ten educators who either retired or resigned.

To balance the budget, administrators may reduce its support staff through furloughs, reduce the athletics and activities budgets, reduce curriculum-related purchases and reduce transportation expenses, they said.

Upper St. Clair School District Narrows Budget Gap

It’s a problem that will also affect educational programming in the Upper St. Clair School District, administrators said.
The numbers are “staggering,” said Sharon Suritsky, assistant to the superintendent for curriculum and instruction/supervisor of special education.
Projections show:
--Athletics, arts and academics will face significant changes in programming and staff, according to district projections.
--Elective offerings will be reduced, eliminated and/or changed.
--Transportation would be affected, with increased student travel time and reduced or eliminated field trips.
--Class sizes would significantly increase.
--Instructional support and enrichment opportunities would be reduced, eliminated and/or see a significant change.
--Foreign language/international learning opportunities would be reduced, eliminated and/or significantly changed.
--Professional development and staff may also be reduced, eliminated and/or significantly changed.

Upper St. Clair Projections Show Long-Term Challenges

I guess since people move to Mt. Lebanon "for the schools," we don't have this problem.  Wake up, School Board!  We're talking Upper St. Clair!  They have been number one for six years in a row!!!!

She forgot to mention the $94.3 million borrowed for the high school.

Kaitlynn Riely had this article in this morning's PG.  She wrote about Bethel Park's budget woes, but forgot to mention that they are in the same pickle jar our District wants to jump in.

 

Bethel Park mulls teacher layoffs

Bethel Park School District is considering teacher furloughs and other cuts in the face of a tough budget situation this year, said Matthew Howard, assistant to the superintendent and head of the district's finance team

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11097/1137539-55.stm#ixzz1IqovrczT