Schools sort out state budget cuts

The California legislature may have finally passed the state budget on Thursday, but that doesn’t mean the way forward is entirely clear. Officials at the Sonoma Valley Unified School District are trying to figure out exactly how local schools will be affected on a day-by-day basis as more specifics become available.
Justin Frese, assistant superintendent, said that the state is essentially cutting school funding by 15 percent across the board – including both general fund programs and restricted funds (categoricals).
The school district will have some flexibility with the categorical funds. For instance, the state will only give 85 percent of what it would usually give for each program, but the district can shuffle that money between programs, perhaps choosing to fund one program 100 percent while cutting another.
The district already built some cuts into its initial budget for this year, anticipating a 10 percent reduction in categoricals. Stakeholders will have to look at how to cut another five percent.
The district has also adjusted its projections for how much it will receive from property taxes. Frese initially projected an eight percent tax growth, which was dropped to five percent in the fall, and stands at just one percent in the most recent projections. He said the taxes might actually come in higher, but the Sonoma County assessor’s office is so backlogged with reassessments that staff hasn’t been able to calculate taxes on the new homes being sold.
“It’s a real unique situation,” said Frese. He’s also heard that the state might be cutting more heavily at “basic aid” districts like Sonoma Valley, so that is an additional concern.
Community members who want to hear the latest update on the school budget can come to a special meeting of the board of trustees on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the multi-purpose room at Altimira Middle School, 17805 Arnold Dr., at Boyes Boulevard. The meeting is open to the public.