Dear colleagues,
As I write this column the district is holding informational meetings across the district on the budget problems that are before us. It is incumbent on all of us as employees of the district to attend these meetings to be informed on this problem. The financial problems are problems that have not been created locally but have been forced on school districts by the lack of support in the Governor’s office. His "no new taxes" pledge and continual financial strangling of public education are finally being felt in our school district to the depth they have been felt in districts around the state in prior years.
In all my years in the district, the financial problems looming over the next two years are the most serious and possibly devastating we have faced. The budget gap is terrible and may be even worse depending on the Governor and legislature’s decision on the un-allotment and if it will be used to address the state’s budget shortfall. Failure of the Governor and legislature to authorize payment of the un-allotment will create an even larger budget shortfall in not just our district but in every school district in the state.
At this time in the district’s process to address the budget gap, there are not any proposals on the table. We do know that the district has to have finalized what their solutions are by the last board meeting in March or the first board meeting in April. This has to be done to help facilitate the staffing and budgeting process.
The union leadership will continue to work with district administrators as we go through this process and protect member’s rights under the contract and state law.
Another important topic as I write this is the Obama administration’s Race to the Top federal grant program. The Minnesota Department of Education is encouraging districts to sign up for this program in hopes of obtaining a grant from the federal government by January 13. The Minnesota deadline is much earlier than the federal one so it will be interesting to see how many districts actually sign up. Until I hear and see some definite answers to concerns and questions raised about Race to the Top, I think it would be a mistake for any local to be a signatory with a district for this program. There are too many unanswered questions for little if any benefit for employees and districts. The reason this is an important program for Minnesota school districts is because of the offer of money—how much money, no one knows—how long will the money be there—four years. I think there far too many risks and answered questions for our local, or any local, to consider this.
The legislature has opened its 2010 session so again we must pay particular attention to that body and its deliberations. Again, their decisions have a direct impact on our classrooms so please pay close attention to the communications you receive and be ready to act when called upon to contact your state legislators.
Fraternally,
Jim Smola