March 6, 2009

The following letter was issued by Superintendent David Schauer, the Governing Board President and key employee group representatives to all Kyrene staff.

» More Information on the Kyrene Budget

 

As we approach this year’s Spring Break, we want to take this opportunity to thank you for the hard work that you are doing to support our educational mission in Kyrene.  Further, in an attempt to address and hopefully alleviate some of the concern that you may feel over the Break, we want to share some information about Kyrene’s 2009-2010 budget and possible actions that may be taken in the future. 

There have been many ways that information has been shared with you regarding Kyrene’s current budgetary picture. Updates given through the Insider, budget pages on the Kyrene website, KEA Rep. Council meetings and President Updates, the District Leadership Council, and Leadership Team are some of the strategies used to provide needed background information. We have provided these updates in order to assist everyone in understanding the rationale for any decisions that Kyrene may have to make in order to develop a balanced budget as the law requires. Please know that the unknown and most critical factor in creating our 2009-2010 budget is what action the legislature will take related to educational funding for the upcoming school year. 

In order to prepare for certain reductions in funding, school districts like ours are planning for probable scenarios based upon the “chairman’s options” which were reported on by the media in January.  These are simply “options” and do not represent any official stance or action by the legislature.  We are awaiting the Governor’s budget that is being prepared simultaneously with the application for stimulus funding from the federal government.  This should shed more light on what may end up happening, although the legislature will make the final decision.  While we do not know exactly when to expect this decision, we do know that Kyrene will be well prepared, informed, and proactive in its own decision-making. At this time, it is more important than ever to work as one team (staff, administrators, and board members) to maintain the delivery of high quality education for which Kyrene is known.  Our community is dependent upon a strong and financially healthy school district and we believe we can remain so throughout this current and hopefully temporary situation. 

The District Leadership Council, which consists of school, district and teacher representation, recently participated in an inclusive process to develop a number of budget “scenarios” so we can be prepared to move forward with whatever it is we have to do.  Many ideas were thoughtfully suggested, analyzed and discussed. The group has expressed their level of support, or reservation, for each option. This information will be shared with the Governing Board at their meeting on March 17 (7:00 PM).

The good news is that Kyrene has been fiscally conservative in the past and is better positioned than most Arizona school districts to deal with the current crisis.

  • The goal is to avoid a Reduction in Force (RIF) process.

  • We are hopeful that we can find places for continuing staff members, although it will be most important that people are flexible in what and where their 2009-2010 assignment might be.

  • The priority is to develop moderate solutions that apply budget reductions to the entire organization rather than singling out specific groups or programs.  

We know many of you have questions and concerns about what the future may bring.  As we work through this, please know that we are committed to supporting our students and staff.  We also know that our process will embrace teacher, administrator, support staff, board member and parental input for fair and equitable decisions.  As more information becomes available, we will continue to share it with you.  Please take advantage of the various communication avenues stated in this letter. The website budget pages are a source for accurate information and are updated very regularly. Most of all, let’s continue to support each other as we face the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Please take time to relax, spend time with family and friends, and do those things you most enjoy during Spring Break.

Sincerely,

David Schauer, Superintendent

Ross Robb, Governing Board President

Anna Montalbo, KEA Co-President

Margaret Bowerman, KEA Co-President

Leon Savage, KESPA President

 

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