University City High School, parents, educators and administrators met Oct. 7 for a San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) town hall meeting to discuss the looming state budget crisis, how it could affect schools and how possibly to fix it. Audience members and trustees appeared to grow weary as it was made clear time and again that this year marks the fifth year San Diego has been forced to make budget cuts for its public schools. Cuts for the 2010-11 budget year are estimated to be around $141.6 million. “We’re trying to balance the core of our academic goals with the harsh realities of this crisis,” SDUSD Superintendent Bill Kowba said. Kowba presented the before-and-after numbers, showing that in 2007 each student was allocated $5,787 per year. For the 2010-11 budget period, that number declined to $4,957. “There’s limited options left over,” said Kowba. “The only options left are massive teacher and certificated staff layoffs. We have a convergence of a number of things happening and none of them are good.” Kowba said his main concern was the expiration of the federal stimulus package this coming June, which he claims funds 400 teaching positions. Solutions presented to close the budget gap were: close ten low-enrollment schools, restructure K-8 schools, increase K-3 class size to a ratio of 29:1, implement half-days for kindergarten and cut several arts and sports programs, among other options. Kowba said much of the exact affects of this shortfall were due to several unresolved issues out of Sacramento. One problem is that funding from Prop 98, a 22-year-old measure passed by voters to protect education, will most likely be suspended again, a dilemma that shorts San Diego Unified schools $200 million in owned grant money this year, said Kowba.  Bernie Rhinerson, chief SDUSD relations officer, said the best possible solution San Diego Unified has is Proposition J, the proposed parcel tax on the Nov. 2 ballot. Rhinerson outlined Prop J’s language during the town hall meeting but made it clear that his intent was not to “sway voters one way or the other,” but merely to educate. The measure is an emergency teacher retention and classroom education measure. If passed by a two-thirds vote on Nov. 2, the proposition allows San Diego schools to levy a temporary five-year annual parcel tax of $98 per single family, $60 per unit for multi-family homes and $450 for commercial or industrial parcels. After administrators spoke during the town hall forum, attendees were asked to form groups aimed at to addressing several local concerns regarding student achievement and how to address the budget crisis at a local level. The discussion became heated as teachers and parents clashed over how to address budget shortfalls. “We need to cut the red tape and see how other districts allocate funds from donations. And what about on-campus advertising? Can we readdress that?” asked one University City parent. Ideas ran the gamut, from having children be part of more fundraising initiatives like jog-a-thons and bake sales, to educating students about Prop J, asking them to knock on doors and campaign for its passage. As presentations for solutions were presented, a common chorus was heard from parents bemoaning the disconnect between union rules and the need for more school volunteers. “We need to balance labor rules so that volunteerism and teachers can come to an equitable agreement,” said Dolores Donovan, La Jolla High School parent. Donovan, a former labor attorney who now teaches law at the University of San Francisco, was a proponent of bringing retirees into the classroom to help provide faltering schools with free educators. Mike Price, area superintendent, also seemed to favor the notion of more community involvement. “We need parents to be engaged and support learning through volunteering,” said Price. “We need parents and teachers to work hand-in-hand tutoring, being classroom aids — not just raising money.” Although the idea of bringing in outside volunteers was popular with parents, educators were quick to point out that having only certificated teachers in the classroom, or those who are working on a teaching certification, is a protective measure that cannot be broken. The California credentialing process requires background checks and fingerprinting scans to protect children; if volunteers were brought into the classroom without these safeguards it could be disastrous. In addition, several teachers noted it was unlawful for free labor to be brought in, as that would break labor union rules. One idea that parents and educators agreed on was using high-achieving juniors and seniors who have completed their necessary graduating credits early to help teach low-achieving high-schoolers with difficult subjects like algebra or calculus. The SDUSD Board of Education will be hearing public comment on Tuesday, Oct. 12 at 5 p.m. at the Eugene Brucker Education Center Auditorium, 4100 Normal St. Speakers are asked to submit an online request form by 5 p.m. Oct. 11 to ensure availability for public testimony. Forms may be obtained by visiting www.sandi.net. Request forms may also be submitted to the Board Action Officer prior to the start of the board meeting. Breaking down Prop J • What is it? The measure is an emergency teacher retention and classroom education measure. If passed by a two-thirds vote on Nov. 2, the proposition allows San Diego schools to levy a temporary five-year annual parcel tax of $98 per single family, $60 per unit for multi-family homes and $450 for commercial or industrial parcels. • Prop J highlights: According to the ballot language: The tax would exempt low-income seniors Sacramento will not be able to dip into this fund. None of the funds would be used to increase administrator salaries All funds raised would go directly to classrooms for the reduction of class sizes, math, science and English funding and technology for classroom instruction. Prop J requires the formation of an Independent Citizen Oversight Committee to monitor how the funds are spent and to ensure the funds are spent in alignment with the language of the proposition.