My intent is to be open, honest, and to show transparency around fiscal dollars and negotiations. Therefore, I will be communicating with you monthly as we move through this storm.

Our current fiscal reality includes both good and bad news.

The Bad News:

• Poway has reduced its budget for seven of the last nine years.
• 2008-09 PUSD had over $280 million in revenues. In 2010-11 the January Budget projected $228 million in revenues (16% reduction in two years).
• 2010 January State Budget cut PUSD another $7 million.
• 2010 May Revise resulted in an additional $2 million in cuts.
• 2010 State Budget was signed by legislators 100 days late. Our school year was well underway and we were living within our means – salary reductions, fewer teachers, fewer school days, reduced services…

The Good News:

• October 8, 2010 the “very late” State Budget was signed. The additional cuts in the May Revise were restored, resulting in an additional $8 million to PUSD (on paper only). Currently, the State Budget has a deficit of $25 billion (and growing) so this $8 million may not materialize. This money has been “set aside.”
• 2010-11 PUSD Revised Budget showed an increase of $6 million to the ending balance, due to overall fiscal savings. This money has been “set aside.”
• October 2010 PUSD received $6.2 million in JOBS money. This money has been “set aside.”

What we’re doing about the good and bad news: Read more...

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