A message from Roger Bylund, Superintendent

I look forward to a successful negotiations process this Spring even as education in California faces an unprecedented fiscal crisis.  As hope is not a viable strategy, preparedness will continue to serve us well. 

Acting early, making necessary reductions, and agreeing to reductions in the work year have stabilized our finances for the next several years.  If, and this is a very big IF in our current economy, the tax extension passes in June and the state does not reduce our income further, PUSD can move back to a 180 day student year and with minimal adjustments have stable financing for the next three years starting in 2011/12.  Our Option 1 Budget Plan reflects multi year fiscal stability.

If the tax initiative does not make it to the ballot or fails, PUSD will lose approximately $1.2 million in income each year or more if the Governor balances the entire state deficit through budget cuts.  Our Option 2 Budget Plan will require more deep cuts over the next three years.  Yearly deficits accumulate as they do in our personal budgets.  Planning to make reductions early will save us from making even deeper cuts in the future.

The unknown amplifies stress.  Our collective anxiety diminishes with clear planning and predictable outcomes.  We may face a devastating lose of income for 2011/12 and beyond.  I anticipate that we can create a plan this Spring, working with all employee groups, so that we all know what to expect whatever happens in June.  Knowing how we will respond as a community, no matter what the outcome in June, will allow us to attend to the work we love without the debilitating shadow of the unknown.

We can anticipate stability and a return to our traditional work year as we prepare for the unknown and a potentially devastating cut in our income.  Planning together and establishing our response through the negotiations process, we survive together and thrive as a community.