La Mesa-Spring Valley Schools Face Cuts of $12.5 Million if Tax Vote Fails

The says it would have to make $12.5 million in budget cuts in the 2013 and 2014 fiscal years if Gov. Jerry Brown’s tax measure doesn’t pass in November.

That’s on top of $17 million in cuts approved by the school board in recent years, according to schools Superintendent Brian Marshall.

In the agenda packet for Tuesday’s school board meeting, Marshall urged adoption of a resolution projecting the reductions.

“The San Diego County Office of Education has requested the board adopt the attached resolution identifying any need for reductions to the district’s budget for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 fiscal years,” Marshall wrote.

“The district will work closely with bargaining units, parents, community members and the board in the coming months to determine how additional reductions will be implemented.”

Marshall wrote that a detailed list of possible reductions for “solvency” in 2013-14 would be submitted to the board in December.

Cuts for fiscal year 2013 are projected at $5.05 million. For 2014, they would be $7.5 million if state voters fail to pass Proposition 30—a mix of temporary measures that include an income-tax hike for high earners and a quarter-cent sales tax increase.

In May 2011, the district and other certificated employees and later pink-slipped nearly 30 classified workers. Teachers, classified and administration staffs have taken pay cuts.

A Budget Study Committee report led to other actions, including the return of sixth grade to elementary schools, reduced busing and a shorter school year. And in June 2012, Moody’s downgraded the La Mesa-Spring Valley’s bond rating to “negative.”