BUDGET UPDATE (To: VSD Parents, From: The Superintendent)
The following letter was sent to all parents in the Vail School District on 5-4-2009.
BUDGET UPDATE
Last week, the Vail Governing Board approved contracts for returning certified teachers in the Vail School District. Unlike many districts across Arizona, the Board did not issue a RIF (Reduction In Force) notice to any teacher in Vail.
The decision to avoid any RIFs was not easy. While the District has the financial advantage of a well-planned reserve and continuing growth, no one really knows the level of funding that will be approved by the State. If the State approves a “worst case” funding level, the decision to avoid RIFs could put the District in a difficult situation.
There were two primary reasons the District chose to take the calculated risk of not RIFFING any teachers. First, teachers in Vail are responsible for delivering an exceptionally high level of academic success. We wanted to honor their effective service. We also wanted them to focus on continuing that academic success, instead of spending valuable time and emotional energy worrying about their jobs.
The second reason for taking that risk is that legislators elected to represent the Vail area have repeatedly assured us that they are doing everything they can to keep cuts to K-12 education to a minimum. We choose to accept their statements and to expect that they will have some level of success.
Although returning teachers have been offered contracts and our legislators are working to protect K-12 education, the budget crisis is far from over. And, every week the pressure to find a solution increases. In just two short months, new teachers (who have already been selected, but not yet offered contracts) are scheduled to report to work. A new school year starts just two weeks later…in mid-July.
At this point, our educated “guess” is a funding reduction of 4 to 8 percent. Principals have been directed to plan for about a 10% increase in the ratio of students to staff. Under this plan, the average class size will go up by one to two students. The current plan also assumes drastic cuts to our soft capital budget (textbooks, classroom supplies, etc.), as well as the funds we use to maintain our buildings. Please understand this is only a plan. The Vail Governing Board has not approved any specific cuts. The Board cannot take action until the State takes action.
We hope that the actual funding from the State will be higher than our educated guess and will make it possible to restore some of those damaging reductions.
If funding is lower than our educated guess, however, even more cuts will have to be made.
This week is Teacher Appreciation Week. Let me suggest one important way to appreciate your child’s teacher. Contact (phone message, email, or letter) your legislator, as well as the chairs of the education committees. Tell them their efforts to protect funding for your child’s education is important. Thank them. Ask them to hold firm.
You may also choose to reference the need for new schools in Vail. Despite the recession, our enrollment is still increasing. If some of the very aggressive tools to stimulate new home sales are successful, our growth will likely increase. It takes considerable time to obtain school sites, plan, get necessary approvals/permits, and complete the building. As of right now, the State has frozen all those efforts. Unless something changes very soon, crowded schools are in Vail’s future.
Please understand the above suggestion is only that — a suggestion. I am not presuming to tell you what political position to hold or how to express it. I am simply exercising my professional and personal obligation to advocate for students in Vail. Our economy depends on a strong education system and our teachers need resources and support to continue their excelling work. I hope that you will join me as I advocate for the children in Vail…and not just any children. YOUR children.
— Calvin Baker, superintendent
CONTACT INFORMATION
Governor Jan Brewer
1700 West Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007-289
1-800-253-0883
602-542-1381 (fax)
Senator Jonathan Paton
State Senate
1700 West Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2890
1-800-352-8404
602-926-3429 (fax)
Representative Frank Antenori
House of Representatives
1700 West Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2890
1-800-352-8404
Representative David Gowan
House of Representatives
1700 West Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2890
1-800-352-8404
Representative Rich Crandall
House Education Appropriations Committee
House of Representatives
1700 West Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2890
1-800-352-8404
Senator John Huppenthal
Senate Education Accountability and Reform Chair
State Senate
1700 West Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2890
1-800-352-8404
602-926-3429 (fax)
