Bonsall schools may lose $1 million next year

By: DARRYN BENNETT - Staff Writer | Thursday, February 14, 2008 10:34 PM PST ∞

BONSALL ---- Facing a possible $1 million reduction in state funding next year, Bonsall Union School District Superintendent Jeff Felix announced Thursday that more than 12 teachers could be laid off and class sizes could grow "significantly" in the 2008-09 school year.

"This budget cut is going to cut into children's education, period. End of discussion," Felix told teachers and school staffers during his "state of the district" speech.

The bleak speech largely addressed Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposal last month to slash nearly 10 percent of funding for public education from the state budget, part of a plan to reverse an estimated $14.5 billion revenue shortfall.

Felix is set to deliver the speech to district trustees Tuesday, but said he wanted district employees to hear the "really bad news" first.

"Frankly, I'm trying to be as transparent as I can be," he said before beginning the speech.

To balance the budget for the 2008-09 fiscal year, trustees will have to consider laying off employees, slashing hours, and possibly halting busing and elective classes such as music in the small district, Felix said.

"Everything is on the table," he said. "It has to be."

The crowd of educators erupted in gasps when Felix explained that layoffs could cause class sizes to balloon to 47 students at Sullivan Middle School. Currently, most classes have about 30 students.

"I know," Felix said. "At that point it would be purely classroom management, not quality instruction time."

Elementary classes, which currently have between 20 and 27 students depending on the grade, could swell to 34 students, Felix said.

One first-year kindergarten teacher became teary-eyed when Felix said layoff notices would be sent to at least 12 teachers by March 15 notifying them that they may not have jobs in the district when the new school year begins in August.

Layoffs are determined by seniority, meaning the newest teachers are the first to lose their jobs if trustees vote to reduce staff, a decision Felix said is likely because roughly 85 percent of the district's budget goes toward salaries.

"You don't get $1 million out of (the budget) without cutting some people," he said.

Other possibilities for tightening the budget include eliminating libraries, summer school classes, athletics and health and counseling services, Felix said.

Also, the district may have to charge more for school lunches and a proposal to get more computers in classrooms may have to wait, Felix said.

When Felix opened the meeting for questions, some district employees suggested changing to a four-day school week to save money on energy and transportation, but Felix said that could be a problem for working parents and make the school day too long for students.

A special budget committee will be formed next week and a series of public meetings will be held to discuss possible budget cuts which must be approved by trustees, Felix said.

"I wish I could put a smiley face on, but I don't know how to this time," he said.

The next board meeting is slated for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Bonsall Community Center, 31505 Old River Road.

Contact staff writer Darryn Bennett at (760) 740-5420 or dmbennett@nctimes.com.